Next president 'lucky' to inherit Arroyo govt's legacy

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Thursday claimed that her successor would be “lucky" to inherit her legacy, citing economic reforms undertaken by her administration. Tax reforms are already in place and the peso strengthened instead of weakened under her watch, Mrs. Arroyo said in an interview with radio dzRH. “Alam mo siguro, suwerte yung susunod na pangulo sa akin (You know, my successor will perhaps be lucky)," she said. “Iyong susunod na administrasyon maipagpatuloy lang niya, uusbong ang ating bansa (If my successor will continue my programs, the country would achieve progress)," she added. New taxes imposed by her administration enabled the country to withstand the recession because the revenues were used by the government to finance the deficit and stimulus package during the global economic downturn. She also took a swipe at her predecessor, deposed leader Joseph Estrada, saying there were no scandals similar to BW Resources controversy under her watch. Describing another country But University of the Philippines economist Benjamin Diokno – who served as Estrada’s budget secretary – disagreed with Arroyo. The Philippines is “much poorer" compared to its condition before she was swept to power in 2001, he said in a separate phone-in interview aired over ANC. “I don't know what she was talking about she must be describing another country," Diokno said. Instead of a resilient economy, Mrs. Arroyo’s successor is likely to inherit a legacy of “debts, a very poor tax system, and huge deficits," he said. “If you look at the poverty, how many Filipinos are poor now? If you look at employment, how many Filipinos do not have jobs or have problem finding a job? I think you agree that the situation now is much poorer, we're worse now than when she took power in 2000," he said. Diokno further said that a stronger peso – which Arroyo claimed is beneficial to the country – does not necessarily translate to a stronger economy. Mrs. Arroyo should not take credit for the country’s economic performance because the world economy expanded during her term of office. Nonetheless, President Arroyo said she was "fulfilled" with her job even though some of her decisions made her unpopular. “Kahit mahirap, hindi ako umiiwas na gumawa. Alam kong kailangang may lider na dapat ayusin ang pananalapi ng bansa upang sa gayon ay makalikom ng madaming pondo," she said. (Even if it’s difficult, I never shirked from fulfilling my responsibilities. I know that the country needs a leader who needs to fix the country’s economy so that the government can earn more revenues.) Arroyo also vowed to continue working for peaceful and credible automated elections, formulating programs involving education, the environment, and the economy. - RJAB Jr./GMANews.TV