Arroyo marks the first anniversary of her administration by praying at the EDSA Shrine, where she was sworn in as President Jan. 20, 2001
That very night I sent word to President Bush that the Philippines stands behind him and is ready to do what needs to be done. It was very natural for us to be so early in our support. For one, the U.S. and the Philippines have been allies for a long time, and it was natural for us to be allies in the war against terrorism. Secondly, we've known terrorism in the southwestern part of the Philippines.
Why can't you wipe out Abu Sayyaf? Is that frustrating for you?
It's complicated, as I think the world has seen in the problem of getting Osama bin Laden and wiping out al-Qaeda. We have been able to break the back of the Abu Sayyaf in the sense that where there used to be thousands [of members], now there are only hundreds. Just as Osama bin Laden has been able to reign, so has the most notorious of the Abu Sayyaf still been able to reign, and that's Abu Sabaya. Many, many people think that Basilan is a little island, three miles by three miles; it's not. It's 30 miles by 30 miles, and the forest canopy is so thick that even if you're standing 10 feet apart you can't see each other. Whether or not there is a link between terrorists in the Philippines and al-Qaeda, it doesn't matter. The fact is we have terrorists here and they are the enemy in this global war against terrorism.
What is the greatest threat to the Philippines' national security?
I agree with President Bush that right now the greatest threat in the whole world is terrorism. But I also believe that terrorism and poverty are interlinked. And as terrorism is a security threat, so is poverty, because when people are poor they are more discontented. On the other hand, when you have to fight against security threats--overt and direct security threats--you take away resources from fighting poverty.
Where do you start the fight against corruption?
From the top. Every President is criticized and I am no exception. What is important is that we must be able to weather the criticisms by being not guilty of them. Early on I set up a committee to help me select a cabinet. I wanted members who were competent and hardworking, and I think I've been successful. In fact, many American businesspeople tell me that I have a dream cabinet. I have seven Harvard graduates, three Wharton graduates, and four veterans of Wall Street.
Do you find it frustrating having to deal with coup rumors?
I have a very good security team around me and I leave things up to them. I focus on my work. If I wasn't so focused and allowed myself to be distracted, then we would'nt have ended the year with such good macroeconomic figures.
Do you see a conflict between the country's economic means and the Catholic Church's position on population growth?
The Catholic Church supports the constitutional position of responsible parenthood. And responsible parenthood includes educating parents and determining what is the right number of children they can support in a sustainable way. Now, where the parents have made a decision, an educated decision, then the method of carrying out their decision, [in] our policy, is left to the religious and cultural beliefs of the individual couple.
Is there a place for leniency for former President Estrada?
We have to talk, in terms of healing, about two things. One is the pursuit of justice. The other is how one handles the personal circumstance of Estrada. In terms of the pursuit of justice, we have to be devoted to that. There is an obligation there. But I am sensitive to his personal circumstance -- that's why I bothered to visit him when he was in detention. He was shown, though, having his photo and fingerprints taken, and that was not supposed to happen. Somebody smuggled the images out.
George W. Bush clearly has a defining moment, which is Sept. 11. What would be the defining moment in your young presidency?
It would have to be the day I became President, because that happened for a clear purpose: to get the Philippines back on track. When I took my oath, I said we needed to be bold in our national ambitions and must win the battle against poverty within the next decade. I also said that this country needed strong leadership, and that we had to replace the old politics of personality and patronage. Furthermore, we have to improve the moral standards in government and society.
Give us a very ambitious goal that, if you achieve it by the time your administration ends, will make you feel you've been successful.
In a free-enterprise system, the most important way to fight poverty is to provide jobs. If I can create 4 million jobs, I'd consider my administration a success.
Which other world leaders do you identify with?
I don't really want to compare myself to other leaders. Let me just say that I've had a chance to interact with many of them, and I would like to think that we help one another do our jobs. One of the things that really brought us together was the fight against terrorism. I hope that the camaraderie we've achieved in the fight against terrorism can also be used in the fight against poverty.
You've been described as the "Iron Lady." Do you deserve that tag?
I'm a pretty tough person. I believe, though, that if I had not been so tough in a harsh external environment and a harsh environment that I inherited politically, this administration would have been overwhelmed.
As a leader, would you rather be loved or feared?
Of course I would rather be loved.
Do you find that people underestimate you because you're a woman?
Some do, but as far as I'm concerned I'm very focused on what I need to do. My father taught me to 'do what is right, do your best, and let God take care of the rest.' So I surrender my fears to God. If people underestimate me, that is O.K, because when I'm successful at something they're surprised.
How conscious are you about how you look, how you present yourself?
To do my job well those things certainly help. For instance, how will investors have confidence in the Philippines if they see the President in blue jeans all the time, or with violet hair, or unkempt. I see it as part of my job. I'm not a fashion victim. I'm not someone who follows fashion and who spends two hours in front of the mirror to look good. I dress well to present a good and crisp face to the world while representing my country.
Do you have a weakness?
Yes, my famous temper. My New Year's resolution was to tone it down. In fact, I understand members of my cabinet are having a bet among themselves as to who will incur my ire first.
What are some of your biggest frustrations?
I have a P.R. problem on law and order ... so my biggest challenge is to convince people that we are working on this.
Who are some of your heroes, people who influenced you, inspired you?
My father is obviously one; his ideas, his philosophy, have guided me along. I'm very much my father's daughter. But a lot of people inspire me. I have great respect for the good former Presidents of my country. Corazon Aquino inspires me very much, being a woman leader and all. She was able to fend off seven coup attempts and emerge with a strong institution that she was able to pass on to her successor to help bring the economy back on track.
How about books or pieces of music or movies that have inspired you?
Of course there's the Bible, which I read every day. Then there's my father's memoirs, which I refer to all the time, not just for inspiration. I also read books related to my work.
When you met your future husband, Mike Arroyo, was it 'love at first sight?'
I was 15, so you don't really have deep love at that age. We finally got married when I was 21 and he was 22. He has made a lot of sacrifices over the years for my career.
Do you enjoy being President?
My father said the presidency is not the position to be enjoyed. It is a position where, for the good of the people, one should be prepared to sacrifice and to suffer. So I'm not here to enjoy; I'm here to do a job. And I feel I'm doing my job well enough to be able to provide results, and to be able to deliver a message to the world that we're here and it's good to do business with us.