First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo surfaced from his self-imposed exile to lend moral support to his wife, President Arroyo, as she presided over Wednesday’s United Nations Security Council Summit here.
The First Gentleman, who voluntarily left the Philippines for San Francisco at the height of the jueteng scandal two months ago, declined to answer when asked about his presence at UN headquarters in this city where his wife is one of the more than 170 heads of state attending the world leaders’ meeting.
But when pressed for comment, the teary-eyed First Gentleman said he was really proud of his wife who presided the landmark meeting where the 15 permanent and non-permanent members of the UNSC voted unanimously for the resolution on counter-terrorism.
The international counter-terrorism conventions and protocols call on all member states to strengthen the security of their borders and cooperate fully in the fight against global threats of terrorism.
"Dahil siya ang chairman (summit) ako I’m very proud of her. She was the one who presided and it was really very good. Sabi nga ni Beth Day Romulo na she (the President) did very well in presiding and it was the first time after a long time," Arroyo said.
"She conducted the Security Council meeting and it’s the first time a woman presided over a meeting in the UNSC and she was the chairwoman. It was very good. I’m very proud of her and that she’s a Filipino. We’re very proud of her," he added.
With the dismissal of impeachment charges against her in the House of Representatives, Mrs. Arroyo said earlier this week she felt like "the wind was at her back" after months of crisis mode.
Asked if he has immediate plans of returning to the Philippines following the President’s declaration that the worst political crisis of her administration was over and that she is now politically "stronger," Arroyo said he is thinking about it.
"Hindi ko alam. I don’t know," he said.
The First Gentleman, who left Manila at the height of the scandals that rocked Arroyo presidency, said he does not know whether his son Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo — also on leave and in the US — will also return to the Philippines for good.
Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said the First Gentleman arrived here on Monday night from San Francisco ahead of the President.