This is what the First Couple have said in separate occasions, when asked about their nine years in power. While President Arroyo spent millions to showcase her "achievements" during the Independence Day parade, the First Gentleman, Mike Arroyo, has launched his book where he highlights his achievements and that of his foundation, citing the many beneficiaries of the same.
Pages are also devoted to their personal lives, notably the courtship days with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and family. Then, there are the last pages where "The First" clears the air, and refutes all the allegations attributed to him and his family, the President included. And that they are only answerable to One, and leave it up to Him to judge how they have lived their lives the past nine years, which he describes as the best.
Okay. I have to mention that the book was published by Mike Arroyo's FG Foundation.
It is so easy to say that this book is self-serving at best. Published by the husband of the President with the dubious distinction of being the most distrusted ever in Philippine history.
It starts out with self-praise, mentioning the foundation and its beneficiaries. Then it shifts to their personal lives.
I couldn't help but think that these particular pages were included to "humanize'" the Arroyos, portray them as ordinary folk. But ordinary they are far from.
Then the last pages. The real reason for the book's publication. Refuting all the anomalies and controversies that hallmarked the Arroyo administration, particularly the First Gentleman. From ZTE to the World Bank road projects, Fertilizer Fund Scam, huge overseas accounts, the whole shebang.
He has found the forum he wanted, just like Sen. Manny Villar found the streets to be the best place to answer the allegations against him. In this book he can tell his side without being interrupted and cross-examined by a Senator.
To say that they are answerable only to One only affirms the wrongs they have done. Why be answerable if without fault?
If this is the attempt of the Arroyos to have the last say on things, then they may be in for a rude awakening. If the First Gentleman says that he slept soundly in the last nine years, it might be totally different in the coming six.