Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo speaks during a luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Resort’s Hibiscus Hall on Friday.
FORMER Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Friday thanked the CNMI government, the local community and Tan Holdings Corp. for the “love and care” they have provided to the Filipino workers in the Commonwealth.
Macapagal-Arroyo, who is currently a member of the Philippine House of Representatives, arrived on island with her husband, Mike Arroyo, Thursday for a two-day visit and was honored in a meet-and-greet luncheon at Crowne Plaza Resort’s Hibiscus Hall at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. The event was hosted by Tan Holdings Corp. President and CEO Jerry Tan and his twin brother, Raymond Tan.
Those who attended the luncheon included Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez and a long-time member of the Filipino community on Saipan, Jess Yumul.
Former Governors Benigno R. Fitial and Juan N. Babauta with former first ladies Josie Fitial and Charlene Babauta, and Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, center, were among the guests at the luncheon.
Also present were former Governors Benigno R. Fitial, Juan N. Babauta and Ralph DLG Torres, other members of the 23rd Legislature, executive branch officials, members of the business community and representatives of the various Filipino organizations in the CNMI.
In her remarks, Macapagal-Arroyo said she first visited the CNMI in 1996 as a senator at the invitation of then-Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio. She said she saw how happy the Filipino workers were, and how their contributions to the CNMI economy were appreciated by the Commonwealth government and the local community.
Today, she said, “the contribution is even more, and the appreciation of the CNMI people is even more than before, and I am very happy to see that.”
She thanked the Tan family because they have done a great deal for their Filipino workers. She is grateful for the love and care that Tan Holdings, the CNMI government and the local community have provided to the Filipino community.
“Thank you for the love and care to the Filipinos on Saipan and the [other] islands of the CNMI,” she added.
Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang welcomes former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the CNMI.
Apatang said he and Gov. Arnold I. Palacios were honored to have the opportunity to meet the former Philippine president and her husband. He said the long years of friendship between the Marianas and the Philippines will continue to improve the lives of the Filipinos who call the CNMI their home.
Apatang said Macapagal-Arroyo’s visit further demonstrated the strong relationship that exists between the Filipino and the local communities in the CNMI.
Macapagal-Arroyo, who is also a former vice president and House speaker, was Philippine president from 2001 to 2010.
