Arroyo: I don't miss being the President

As she celebrated her 64th birthday on Tuesday, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said she doesn't miss being President of the country, a post she held for nine years. "I don't miss the benefits of being President. I don't even mind paying the expressway to and from Pampanga," Arroyo said during her birthday celebration in Lubao, Pampanga on Tuesday. In January 2001, then Vice President Arroyo assumed the presidency after a military-backed civilian uprising forced then President Joseph Estrada to vacate Malacañang. She won the tightly contested presidential elections in 2004. She ended her term as president noon of June 30 last year and assumed her post as representative of Pampanga's second district. She won her current post during the May 2010 polls. And now with a less stressful job, the former President said she manages to take care of herself more. "Now I am leading a quieter public role. My secret, for all those who are asking is not a facelift, for I haven't had any facelift. But rather diet, exercise sometimes going to my favorite spa or a firming facial," she said about her youthful looks. Arroyo celebrated her 64th birthday by attending a Holy Mass at St. Augustine Church in Lubao, Pampanga with her husband Atty. Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo and sons Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo and Ang Galing Pinoy party-list Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo. Also present were her former Cabinet secretaries, including former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita. After the Mass, the former President spoke as the guest of honor at the Lubao National High School's graduation rites. She is expected to make rounds in Pampanga until 5:00 p.m. for dental missions which were initiated by Mike Arroyo's foundation.
On Morong 43 case Meanwhile, Arroyo refused to comment on the P15-million damage suit filed against her and several military officials for the alleged “physical and psychological" torture of the "Morong 43" health workers. Elena Bautista-Horn, the former President’s spokesperson, denied the allegation but said that they are still waiting for a copy of the complaint. "Ang basa namin dito is really baseless and it's a harrassment case (This is baseless and nothing more than a harrassment case)," she said during an interview aired over GMA News TV's Balitanghali on Tuesday. Ermita likewise laughed off the accusation, saying the workers have no case against the former President. "I don't see how they could have tried to you know, involve the President in the case," he said during the same television report. The Morong 43 health workers were arrested and detained in February last year, four months before Arroyo’s term as president ended. They were accused of allegedly conducting explosives training at a private residence in Morong, Rizal at the time of their arrest. In December last year, President Benigno Aquino III ordered the dropping of charges against the health workers, who were eventually freed days after Aquino’s pronouncement. - with Lia Mañalac/VVP/RSJ, GMA News