On top of the government’s advertising spree, President Arroyo is making the rounds in media organizations to personally bring to light her accomplishments in the last eight years in office.

In an apparent attempt at fulfilling her promise to be an easier subject to cover, the President has visited a number of offices of major newspapers in the past few days and somehow let her guard down in her casual conversations with media executives and editors.

The President, in a visit to the Manila Bulletin last Tuesday night, talked about her weeklong tour in the cyber corridor, which she has described as a sunshine industry that has generated half a million jobs.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita admitted that the President wanted to engage the media to tell her "story" of achievements as she winds up her nine-year tenure.

“The President chose to visit media facilities in order for her, first, to touch base with those who communicate with our people. That’s very important. And second, to have opportunity to say her story, her presidency in the most limited manner,” he said in an interview after gracing the 110th anniversary celebration of the Manila Bulletin last Tuesday night.

“It’s not always the President talks about what’s she doing and what has done. I suppose it’s her way of saying we have done many things unlike what the critics say. The President is doing everything to communicate effectively with her physical presence,” he added.

Asked why the President embarked on an apparent media charm offensive now, Ermita replied: “That’s a matter of style. The President is doing it now she believes it’s the proper time, five months away from end of her term. She’ll be the most effective communicator of the things she achieved and accomplished.”

Ermita, also Presidential Spokesman, said the President is expected to be more accessible to media in the remaining months of office. "It's a matter of getting in touch with proper person especially now we have new Press Secretary," he said, referring to Press Secretary Crispulo Icban Jr.

Last month, the President hosted lunch for Palace journalists in Malacañang where she announced Icban was replacing the late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde. Afterwards, she also met with members of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP) as well as the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC).

During last year’s Christmas part with the Palace journalists, the President promised to be media-friendly in the remainder of her term amid observations she is the least accessible leader after the Marcos regime.

“I know I’m not an easy subject to cover but I hope that in the remaining months of my administration, I’ll be an easier subject for you,” she said.

As this developed, senior citizens could soon purchase certain goods and services without having to pay the 12 percent expanded value-added tax.

President Arroyo has endorsed the proposed “Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010,” heeding the growing clamor from the country’s elderly and other concerned groups for its immediate approval.

"I will not veto it that's for sure," she said in an interview during the 110th anniversary celebration of the Manila Bulletin last Tuesday night, when asked if she would sign soon the measure that allows senior citizens to enjoy 20 percent enjoyed by senior citizens.

The President, however, said Congress has not yet transmitted the measure, which exempts those over the age of 60 from the expanded value added tax, to her office.

Once transmitted by Congress to the Palace, the President could either sign the bill into law or let it lapse into law.

"I have not seen the bill yet," Mrs. Arroyo said, a day after dozens of senior
citizens held a march in Mendiola to pressure the President to sign the bill into law.

Asked if the senior citizens could expect the good news of the approved tax exemption soon, the President, also a senior citizen, said: "Yes."

It was the first time the President gave a comment on the proposed tax relief for senior citizens after the Palace initially appeared reluctant to support the bill since it would reduce the government’s revenues.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said the President has to weigh the interests of the senior citizens and the government’s fiscal program, which could be affected by the tax exemptions.

The VAT exemption will cover senior citizens’ spending on medicines, transportation fees, hotel room and lodging fees, movie tickets, and funeral and burial services. The government will also give a monthly stipend of P500 to senior citizens.

In case of death of a poor senior citizen, an amount of P2,000 will be given to his or her family or nearest kin as assistance.