Diosdado Macapagal Arroyo


Diosdado Ignacio "Dato" Macapagal Arroyo is the son of former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Early life

Diosdado M. Arroyo was born on September 4, 1974 in Manila, and comes from a family of public servants. His father, Atty. Jose Miguel Arroyo, is a descendant of the late former Senator Jose Ma. Arroyo of Iloilo and Gen. Aniceto Lacson who led the province of Negros in the revolt against Spain. His mother, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, is the daughter of the late former President Diosdado Macapagal whose name and ancestry can be traced to Lakandula.

Education

Dato took elementary and high school education at the Ateneo de Manila graduating in 1992. He finished his college education at the Ateneo de Naga University in October 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Major in Legal Management.

Career

Dato worked as one of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's speechwriters, and also served as an intern with the Ateneo Human Rights Center. He proudly considers himself a Bicolano by choice, and has been actively supporting programs for the Bicol Region since graduating from college, particularly in areas concerning the provision of basic needs, Bicol tourism and sports. Recognizing his efforts, he was officially made an Adopted Son of Camarines Sur in November 2004, Lived somewhere in Brgy. Dayangdang and soon moved to Libmanan.
In 2005, Dato set up the Amigo Foundation, with the objective of helping out of those with less in life. The foundation has pushed for and promoted various livelihood, health, education, youth and sports programs not only within the Bicol Region, but around the country as well.
Aside from the founding the Amigo Foundation, Dato was also the president of the Metro Manila Chapter of the Ateneo de Naga Alumni Association, and the Chairman of the Bicol Regional Tourism Summit.

Political life

Promoting his platform of TKO, or "Tubig, Kalye, Oportunidad" in the 2007 elections, Dato ran and won as Representative of the First District of Camarines Sur, winning in over 80% of the barangays and leading by more than 30,000 votes over his nearest rival. In Congress, Dato is active as a member of 12 committees. He serves as Vice-Chairman in the Committees of Agriculture and Food, Youth and Sports Development, and Bicol Recovery and Development, making him the only first-term congressman with three vice-chairmanships. Aside from having a perfect attendance record in sessions, he has already filed numerous pro-poor bills and resolutions, including those on cheaper medicines, tax exemptions for minimum wage earners, and the use of agrarian land as collateral. He has consistently been chosen as one of the Most Outstanding Congressmen by various organizations and publications.

Personal life

Dato is married to Kakai Manotok and they have three children.

Ancestry

Website

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