Philippine president's husband to go into exile

Philippine First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo said Wednesday that he would choose to go abroad to get her wife rid of the political embarrassment she is suffering from the scandal of her family members' benefiting from illegal gambling.

Mr. Arroyo said in a statement that he had offered to leave to give his wife, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, "peace of mind."

"I love my wife very much. It has been difficult for me to see her suffer through the negative press I have received," he said.

"If there is anything I can do, any sacrifice I can make, to give her peace of mind, I would never hesitate to do it," he added.

The first gentleman, however, noted that being away from his wife and his family is "a very painful decision."

President Arroyo earlier Wednesday announced at the "Business meets Government Roundtable" that she was letting go her husband, who had volunteered to leave the country to allow her "serve my countrymen without any question on my integrity."

"Today, my family is once again called to sacrifice our personal happiness to allow me to serve best as president of our country," she said.

Arroyo noted that her husband and his contributions to health care and sports development have become "the object of pillory especially by my political enemies who have been trying to distract me from fulfilling my reform agenda as president."

As a wife, the president expressed her gratitude to her husbandfor his sacrifice. "My family will miss him terribly, and I ask for you to help pray that we remain strong as a family."

President Arroyo said that she would always follow the advise of her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, that as a public servant, her priority must be God first, then country and last, family.

"This is something that has guided me throughout my life in public service. My responsibility to the people is my highest priority," she said.

Business leaders attending the Roundtable lauded the president for making the ultimate sacrifice of being separated from her husband to finally put an end to allegations of wrongdoing againstthe first gentleman.

Corporate Network Hong Kong director Graeme Maxton said that Arroyo's point about her husband's leaving is clearly part of her personal commitment to reform.

Philippine Business Leaders Forum President Michael Clancy saidthat by arriving at a decision to let the first gentleman leave the country, the president has "done what she felt she needs to doto put an end to it (political noise), once and for all."

Source: Xinhua