Arroyo One of World’s Most Powerful Women

Forbes Magazine has recently released The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) of the Philippines is on the list at No. 41. PGMA was even considered more powerful than the Queen of United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II is rank No. 58. Topping the list is Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel. This is the third year in a row that Merkel was ranked as the world’s most powerful woman.

For the annual ranking of the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women, Forbes Magazine define power as

“a composite of public profile–calculated using press mentions–and financial heft. The economic component of the ranking considers job title and past career accomplishments, as well as the amount of money the woman controls.”

I may not agree with PGMA’s policies and how she does things, but I have to admit she’s a strong woman. Seeing her and Mike Arroyo together, one will not wonder who wears the pants in the family. Despite all the scandals of her administration and in spite of her critics, she’s still in power. If you don’t call that power, I don’t know what is.

This is what Forbes Magazine has to say of PGMA:

“The scandal-tainted president’s popularity fell to a record low in June over escalating food and energy prices; Arroyo soon announced a deal with oil companies to trim diesel prices. A recent imbroglio: Arroyo’s husband is among those accused of accepting bribes in a $330 million deal with a Chinese telecom firm. Despite rumors of another ouster campaign in the works, Arroyo has survived three impeachment attempts and three coup plots since taking office in 2001 and is sure to fight back.”— Tatiana Serafin

She may not be my role model but I admire President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s strength. A lesser person may have folded up a long time ago.

Tagged as: PGMA, President Arroyo, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, World's 100 Most Powerful Women