Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Quotes

Powerful Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for Daily Growth

About Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, born on April 5, 1947, in San Juan, Philippines, served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010. A member of the conservative Nationalist People's Coalition party, she was also the country's first female President and the third woman in Asia to lead a sovereign nation. Arroyo started her political career as a legislator after winning a seat in the House of Representatives in 1987. She was elected Vice-President in 1998, serving under President Joseph Estrada until his impeachment in 2001, when she assumed the presidency. Arroyo's presidency was marked by significant economic growth and infrastructure development, as well as efforts to combat poverty and corruption. However, her tenure was also marred by controversy, including allegations of electoral fraud during her election in 2004 and human rights violations under the anti-terrorism law. Post-presidency, Arroyo served as a congresswoman for Pampanga's 2nd district from 2010 to 2016. In 2016, she was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, a role she held until her election as President of the Philippines in 2019 after the resignation of Rodrigo Duterte's vice-president. Throughout her career, Arroyo has been known for her resilience and dedication to public service. Her quotes reflect her commitment to nation-building and her belief in the power of education: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." And "The poor are always with us, but poverty can be eliminated." Arroyo continues to influence Philippine politics as a respected figure in the political landscape.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"If you want change, you have to change."

This quote from Gloria Macapagal Arroyo emphasizes personal responsibility in driving change. It suggests that for any change one desires in their life or circumstances, they must first be willing to adapt, evolve, and make necessary adjustments themselves. The underlying message is that the power of change resides within each individual. To bring about transformation, we must embrace it in our own thoughts, actions, and behavior.

"Every Filipino is a hero in his own way."

This quote highlights the intrinsic worth and potential of every individual Filipino. It suggests that each person, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the capacity to rise above adversity, demonstrate courage, and contribute positively to society in their unique way. The phrase underscores the collective strength and resilience of the Filipino people, emphasizing their ability to make a difference in their own lives and the lives of others. It encourages each individual to recognize and embrace their inherent heroism and strive for personal growth and excellence.

"We are not just dreamers; we are doers of dreams."

This quote emphasizes that while having dreams or aspirations is essential, it's equally important to take active steps towards realizing them. In other words, the speaker encourages people to be both visionaries (dreamers) and implementors (doers), as only through action can dreams become a reality. The message is one of proactivity, determination, and belief in one's ability to make positive change happen.

"In the end, what matters most is not where you came from, but where you are going."

This quote by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo emphasizes that one's past experiences or origins should not define their future potential or destiny. Instead, it underscores the importance of personal growth, ambition, and direction towards a better future. The focus lies on individual progress and aspirations, suggesting that everyone has the capacity to shape their own destiny regardless of their background.

"The challenge for us all is to turn vision into reality, and to make our own small contributions to that greater Filipino destiny."

This quote by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo emphasizes the importance of transforming aspirations (vision) into tangible outcomes (reality). She encourages everyone to play a part in shaping the future of the Philippines, collectively working towards a common goal - the greater Filipino destiny. It underscores that individual efforts, no matter how small, can significantly contribute to the nation's growth and progress.

I was at Ground Zero, and it was, to me, such a graphic illustration of what terrorism has done to our world.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Done, Zero, Our, Our World

We have the hardest working people in the world, the most adaptable and the most congenial to employ.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Working People, Most, Employ, Congenial

In 1995, we had evidence of the brother-in-law of Osama bin Laden being in the Philippines, living in the Philippines. We had evidence of front organizations set up in the Philippines. And we uncovered evidence about, which would help the U.S. with - about the perpetuators of the World Trade Center bombing.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

About, World Trade Center, Bin

The power of one, if fearless and focused, is formidable, but the power of many working together is better.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Work, Fearless, Better, Formidable

We have scaled the heights of Mount Everest, dominated the Southeast Asian games, we have won international beauty titles, and of course punched our way to triumph in the boxing world. Our people compete and win every day in every imaginable job throughout the world.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Beauty, Every Day, Compete, Punched

The Iraqi regime was supporting terrorist cells all over the world. We had to expel three Iraqi diplomats from the Philippines because of evidence that they were either in touch with Abu Sayyaf or doing their own espionage.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Doing, Own, Evidence, Expel

In the time one is given, the steward must make the most of the talents one is given by the Lord.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Lord, Most, Given, Steward

For those who want to pick up old fights, we're game, but what a waste of time. Why not join hands instead? Join hands in the biggest challenge of all, where we all win, or we all lose: the battle for the survival and progress of our one and only country.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Game, Hands, Country, Only Country

Nature did not gift us with a mighty Mekong like Thailand and Vietnam, with their vast and naturally fertile plains. Nature instead put our islands ahead of our neighbours in the path of typhoons from the Pacific.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Nature, Gift, Like, Plains

We must weed out corruption and build a strong system of justice that the people can trust.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Trust, Strong, System, Corruption

Now I ask you to make your sacrifice. Take a gamble. I took the plunge and I'm glad of it.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Sacrifice, Gamble, Took, Plunge

I believe that the war against terrorism and the war against poverty in these times of turmoil go together. So you - when you fight one, you have to fight the other.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Go, Other, Against, Turmoil

We look at the world and analyze the world, and see what we can do that is in line of our mutual interest and also in line with, you know, what the whole world needs, because this is a world where we really have to all work together.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Work, Line, Needs, Analyze

As your president, I care too much about this nation to let anyone stand in the way of our people's wellbeing.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Nation, About, Your, Wellbeing

Real government is about looking beyond the vested to the national interest, setting up the necessary conditions to enable the next, more enabled and more empowered generation to achieve a country as prosperous, a people as content, as ours deserve to be.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Country, Next, Achieve, Vested

We're working with our neighbors Indonesia and Malaysia to fight terrorism in our own common seas.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Neighbors, Common, Seas, Indonesia

In a global arena, what our businessmen need in order to be competitive is transparency and a level playing-field.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Transparency, Need, Level, Businessmen

Filipino businessmen must have the ability to compete freely in the global economy.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Compete, Filipino, Must, Businessmen

As I have shown, I will defend democracy with arms when it is threatened by violence; with firmness when it is weakened by division; with law and order when it is subverted by anarchy; and always, I will try to sustain it by wise policies of economic progress so that a democracy means not just an empty liberty, but a full life for all.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Life, Empty, Policies, Full Life

As the leader of the nation, I say in behalf of the Filipino people to the world: we are strong and principled believers in democracy.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Strong, Leader, Nation, Filipino

College education is the great Filipino dream. But in a world of rapid technological change, getting a job or keeping it depends as much on how well one reasons as how well one uses his hands.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Education, College, Reasons, Filipino

Our educational system should make the Filipino fit not just for whatever jobs happen to be on offer today, but also for whatever economic challenge life will throw in their way.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Will, Happen, Educational, Filipino

I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my position for personal profit. Many who accuse me have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Habits, Accuse, Using, Profit

I will not stand idly when anyone gets in the way of the national interest and tries to block the national vision. From where I sit, I can tell you, a president is always as strong as she wants to be.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Strong, Tell, Tries, Block

We may disagree among ourselves, but let us never lose sight of that greater battle for one people, one country, one Philippines.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Lose, Country, May, One Country

In my presidency I've been guided by what's right, not what's popular.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Right, Been, Presidency, Guided

We will downsize the government, motivate excess employees to become entrepreneurs, and increase the pay of a lean and mean bureaucracy.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Will, Pay, Entrepreneurs, Motivate

In the area of national security, I urge the swift passage of an anti-terrorism law that will protect rather than subvert, enhance rather than weaken, the rights and liberties that terrorism precisely threatens with extinction.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Law, Passage, Area, Threatens

We fight terrorism. It threatens our sovereign, democratic, compassionate and decent way of life.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Democratic, Terrorism, Threatens

We must promote solid traits such as work ethics, a dignified lifestyle, matching actions to rhetoric, performance rather than grandstanding.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Rather, Solid, Traits, Matching

We've supported the U.S. every step of the way. The Philippines was the first government in Asia after September 11, in fact, the night of September 11; it was nighttime for us then. It was daytime here. We were the first government in Asia to come out and say that we're supporting the U.S.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Fact, Here, In Fact, Supporting

I feel that if I am freed of the burden of politics, then I can do more and I can take more unpopular decisions. I can have as my guidance for decision whatever is right, not whatever is popular.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Decision, Politics, More, Unpopular

I feel that if I am freed of the burden of politics, then I can do more, and I can take more unpopular decisions.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Politics, More, Feel, Unpopular

Chronic deficits drastically reduce government's ability to make those infrastructure investments that business needs to grow and create jobs.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Grow, Needs, Reduce, Chronic

It is simply the truth that the political system that I am part of has degenerated to the point that it needs fundamental change.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Change, Needs, Part, Fundamental Change

A president must be on the job 24/7, ready for any contingency, any crisis, anywhere, anytime.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Ready, Crisis, Anytime, Contingency

Our children are our most cherished possession. In their early years, we must make sure they get a healthy start in life. They must receive the right food for a healthy body, the right education for a bright and inquiring mind - and the equal opportunity for a meaningful job.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Education, Bright, Cherished, Inquiring

As a country in the path of typhoons and in the Pacific Rim of Fire, we must be prepared as the latest technology permits to anticipate natural calamities when that is possible, to extend immediate and effective relief when it is not.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Country, Natural, Prepared, Relief

The Philippines was with the U.S. in the Second World War, in the Korean War, in the Vietnam War, and now in the war against terrorism.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

War, Against, Vietnam, Vietnam War

I shall work with Congress, civil society groups and local government executives who are convinced that charter changes are needed to enable the country to surmount the unprecedented challenges of the 21st century.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Country, Congress, Charter, Unprecedented

The Philippines and the U.S. have had a strong relationship with each other for a very long time now. We have a shared history. We have shared values, democracy, freedom, and we have been in all the wars together in modern history, the World War, Second World War, Cold War, Vietnam, Korea, now the war on terrorism.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Strong, Very, Shared, Cold War

I know the pain of having to deal with terrorism. And that's why, after 9-11, I was one of the first to join the international coalition to fight terrorism.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Pain, Deal, Having, International

Better talk than fight, if nothing of sovereign value is anyway lost. Dialogue has achieved more than confrontation in many parts of the world.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Nothing, More, Confrontation, Sovereign

Our political system needs changing. It needs to move away from personalities and patronage to a system of party programs and consultation with the people.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Away, Needs, Move, Personalities

Our investments in social justice and basic needs are as vital to our future as fiscal and macroeconomic reforms. A nation deeply divided will not stand. And it certainly will not move forward.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Needs, Move, Certainly, Social Justice

The Philippines ranks among top off-shoring hubs in the world because of cost competitiveness and, more importantly, our highly trainable, English proficient, IT-enabled management and manpower.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

More, Cost, Importantly, Highly

Camiguin, Romblon and Camarines Norte got out of the list of poorest provinces in 2003. With tourism, these provinces can become rich.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Rich, Tourism, Provinces, Poorest

In all the things I've gone through as a politician, I have seen that in this system it is really very difficult to make any headway without being somehow tainted. And let me say, 'Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.'

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Him, Through, Very, Stone

The Constitution says that troops can be in the Philippines if there's a treaty that provides for it, and we have two treaties with the United States.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

United, United States, Philippines

The contracts for Iraqi rebuilding are commercial contracts. I think being in the coalition of the willing puts us in the radar screen, but we also have to compete with other countries that are in the coalition of the willing, but the Philippines is a country that has produced world-class skilled workers that we have seen all over the world.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Country, Compete, Commercial, Philippines

You have 60 countries in the world with a terrorist problem. That's two-thirds of the world. We have this group in Basilan, which is a small island in the far south of the Philippines, and the island itself has a population of - what? - 300,000.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Small, Which, Two-Thirds, Philippines

The Philippines has no policy that demands sacrifice of human lives.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Sacrifice, Human, Lives, Philippines

Central Philippines has the competitive edge in tourism in its natural wonders and the extraordinary hospitality of its people.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Edge, Extraordinary, Central, Philippines

Even before 9/11, the Philippines was already fighting terrorism in southwestern Philippines. That's why when 9/11 happened, we could understand the pain.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Pain, Could, Before, Philippines

Individually, we've taken the world on and won; together, we must take on the challenge of creating a new, peaceful, humane and competitive nation and prevail.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

New, Nation, Humane, Prevail

I'm not worried. I'm in control.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Control, Worried

I want justice to be so pervasive that it will be taken for granted, just as injustice is taken for granted today.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Injustice, Want, Will, Pervasive

To our men and women in the armed services, the huge and deep core of your loyalty has earned the nation's accolade.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Loyalty, Deep, Nation, Armed Services

I was invited by President Bush to come to the United States on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the mutual defense treaty.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Occasion, United States, President Bush

It is the civilian part of the politics that is very, very bad, and we have to change that.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Politics, Bad, Very, Civilian

Agrarian reform should not merely subdivide misery, it must raise living standards. Ownership raises the farmer from his, but productivity will keep him on his feet.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Feet, Living, Will, Raises

The military is faithful to the constitution. They will come in only to protect the people from the enemies of the state.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Constitution, Will, Only, Protect

I did not become president to be popular. To work, to lead, to protect and preserve our country, our people, that is why I became president.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Work, Country, Became, Protect

Over the years, our political system has degenerated to the extent that it is difficult for anyone to make any headway yet keep his hands clean.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Hands, Over, Extent, Headway

Optimism is infectious, and opportunity irresistible. Progress follows progress. Someone, even government, just has to get it started.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Government, Infectious, Irresistible

There isn't a day I do not work at my job, or a waking moment when I do not think through a work-related problem. Even my critics cannot begrudge the long hours I put in. Our people deserve a government that works just as hard as they do.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Through, Works, Our, Waking

I sow; my successor reaps. This is the majesty of democracy.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Successor, Majesty, Sow

While there's been much progress on terrorism, there's still much work to do and it is very important that the countries work together in order to address this threat together.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Been, Very, Still, Work Together

I stand in the way of no one's ambition. I only ask that no one stand in the way of the people's well being and the nation's progress.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

People, Nation, Being, Well Being

We have our own home-grown terrorism, and to the extent that we can obliterate terrorism all over the world, then our own terrorism will be much easier to neutralize.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Will, Over, Extent, Neutralize

I want ordinary people to enjoy a decent standard of living, with ever increasing security, comfort and joy.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Living, Want, Standard, Ordinary People

I can say that I have not done any culpable violation of the constitution.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Constitution, Say, Done, Violation

The military is very constitutionalist, and I have my faith in them and in the cooler heads of the people.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Faith, Cooler, Very, Heads

We have to be bold in our national ambitions. First, we must win the fight against poverty within the next decade. Second, we must improve moral standards in government and society to provide a strong foundation for good governance. Third, we must change the character of our politics to promote fertile ground for reforms.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Politics, Next, Decade, Governance

On the economy, the U.S. cumulatively is our most important investor, most important trading partner, most important sort of tourists, and we have now a tie that will... a link that will be here for many, many years to come, and that is the big Philippine-American community in the United States - three million of them.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Big, Here, Trading, Investor

However much a president wishes it, a national problem cannot be knocked out with a single punch. A president must work with the problem as much as against it, turn it into a solution if she can.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Work, Against, However, Punch

I am very grateful to our Muslim population. One of the things we've been doing is stepping up our inter-faith dialogue with the Muslim population. And I think that helped very much in their support for me.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Doing, Been, Very, Population

I will follow my father's footsteps by doing what is right, and God will take care of the rest. My father is my role model. My living role model is Cory Aquino.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Rest, Doing, Role, Footsteps

By and large, our political system has betrayed its promise to each new generation of Filipinos, not a few of whom are voting with their feet, going abroad and leaving that system behind.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Feet, Generation, New, Leaving

I can't do everything alone. I need all Filipinos to unify.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Alone, Need, Everything, Unify

My responsibility as president is to take care to solve the problems we are facing now and to provide a vision and direction for how our nation should advance in the future.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Nation, Facing, Our, Solve

The roof cannot collapse when the value pillars of government and society are sound and strong.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Society, Roof, Pillars, Collapse

In the harshest possible terms, I condemn political killings.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Political, Possible, Terms, Condemn

It's never right to fight terror with terror.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Fight, Never, Right, Terror

I want to create economic opportunity at home and abroad. I don't want just one or the other. I want both.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Want, Other, Abroad, Just One

I ask the educational system, the parents, the church, and pillars of the community to help shape a new culture of honesty, patriotism, respect, discipline and service for young Filipinos.

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

New, Pillars, Educational, Discipline

I follow my father's philosphy; 'Do what is good, do what is right, and God will take care of the rest.'

- Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

Father, Rest, Will, Take Care

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