Philippine Star
Tuesday, August 19

The famous temper of President Arroyo manifested itself again yesterday just before she was to tape an address to the nation on the attacks by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Shortly after attending a ceremony dedicated to the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, Malacañang beat reporters were informed that the President was going to deliver a statement at the Palace.

The President was supposed to tape the at Rizal Hall, but when she saw no one there, she proceeded to the New Executive Building where press briefings are held but was informed that Radio-Television Malacañang (RTVM) had not yet set up its equipment, including her teleprompter, for the taping.

She promptly left and went into a secret passageway behind the room.

Television cameramen and a photographer staked out the corridor to get a shot of the President coming out, but when she emerged, she snapped at a female photographer and told her not to take her picture.

She had to leave yet again because RTVM was not yet ready, and when she returned to the room, where several reporters were already seated, she was visibly furious and tersely told everyone in the room that she was not there for a press conference but for a taping.

She left the room again and was heard calling for an undersecretary who was inside the room.

Several Palace reporters then saw the President standing near the staircase, apparently berating her aides and the undersecretary.

It was not clear whether the President was mad at the slow pace of the RTVM or at the presence of the media for the taping of her message.

By the time the President delivered her message, sweat was visible on her forehead and nose.

She was wearing a yellow sports shirt, khaki slacks, and white shoes and appeared to be on her way to a round of golf.

The latest presidential outburst came just hours after she underwent a stress test at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

According to Palace aides who declined to be named, the visit of the President to the hospital was the reason for her being late for the installation of the bust of Ninoy Aquino at the NAIA-3.

A stress test usually involves using a treadmill to test how a person’s heart handles stress and exertion.

The President was sidelined for a number of days last week because of what her aides said was an upset stomach. -Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com