Arroyo on Marcos' first 100 days: He reassured with impressive economic team

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr.'s choice of "impressive" economic team gave assurance that the economy was a priority in his first 100 days in office, Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said.

"In the wake of the pandemic and global tensions in Ukraine and Taiwan, the adverse economic impact of these crises is topmost on most minds. President Marcos, Jr. reassured everyone by assembling an impressive economic team that has been universally praised," Arroyo, who was the country's president from 2001 to 2010, said in a statement.

"The President has projected himself well as a calm, thoughtful leader who is  true to his promise to promote unity and be a President for all," she added.

Arroyo backed Marcos and Lakas-CMD chairperson and then Davao City mayor Sara Duterte for the 2022 presidential and vice presidential race, respectively.

Arroyo, who also served as House Speaker from July 2018 to July 2019, also remains Lakas-CMD president emeritus.

"I think a President’s first 100 days serves two purposes: first, to give the nation and the world a message to inspire confidence relative to the area of greatest concern; and second, to give the Filipino people an idea of the leadership style of the President," she said.

Marcos, Jr.'s predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, earlier said that the first 100 days as chief executive is a honeymoon period.

"It’s supposed to be a honeymoon, they call it a honeymoon with the press. At least give it to him. We have given it to other presidents," Duterte said last September 29.

The President already went to Indonesia, Singapore and the United States for working and state visits during the first 100 days, securing investment pledges, among others.

Marcos, however, recently drew flak when he and his family again visited Singapore over weekend to watch the Formula One Grand Prix even if scores of Filipinos are still reeling from the wrath of Super Typhoon Karding.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, however, said Marcos still performed his duties as chief executive during the trip.

“I am sure if that was the trip of the President, you don't need to be too particular about where the funds were sourced… He was still performing his job as President when he was abroad, although that is not an official state visit," Bersamin had said.—LDF, GMA News