Senators doubt Arroyo's motive in going around provinces

Some senators have expressed doubts about the true motive of Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in going around provinces.

Arroyo, however, said it is just part of her duties as Speaker, according to a report on Balitanghali Weekend by Sandra Aguinaldo.

Soon after she became Speaker, the former President and incumbent Pampanga representative was seen attending various events in provinces.

On Wednesday, she was in San Fernando, Pampanga to lead the planting of bougainvillea along the North Luzon Expressway.

Speaker Gloria Arroyo leads planting bougainvillea along NLEX with MVP and Pampanga Gov Lilia Pineda: pic.twitter.com/Htddxlzgd4

— sandra aguinaldo (@sandraguinaldo) August 1, 2018

Two days later, Arroyo witnessed the turnover of the Water Master dredger by the Department of Public Works and Highways to the local government of Calumpit, Bulacan.

She also went to Bataan to distribute relief goods.

Arroyo said it is part of her duties as Speaker to help districts that need assistance.

"To help our congressmen serve their constituents especially the most immediate needs. At the time, remember when we were having the speakership struggle, we were having a raging typhoon and habagat here," she said.

However, her party-mate at PDP-Laban, Senator Koko Pimentel said some senators believe Arroyo may have another reason for going around the provinces.

"The new Speaker must win the trust of my fellow senators... Sabi nila baka daw may hidden agenda. Sinasabi ko nga, maraming nagsasabing baka gustong maging prime minister... Siguro through interaction you will slowly gain the trust of your fellow lawmakers," Pimentel said.

Arroyo said she cannot be distracted by what other people think.

"I  just hope that, I mean, I can't help, I can't help if, when I do my duty, people want to interpret it differently. I cannot be distracted by that. I have to focus," she said. —KG, GMA News