It pays to be loyal.

Just before she ends her nine-year term in office, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has promoted her two loyal staff members to juicy government positions.

Malacañang confirmed that the President has designated her manicurist Anita Capron as one of the trustees of Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-ibig) with a fixed term of two years.

Armando Macapagal, the President's gardener in the Palace, was also appointed deputy of the Luneta Park Administration.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar defended the President's latest appointments, saying the two ordinary citizens are still fit to occupy the government positions.

“What prompted the President to give or to consider giving them this kind of appointment is her interest in having ordinary people represented in government offices and agencies whose activities impinge on the lives of ordinary people,” Olivar said.

Olivar also denied reports the President was related to Macapagal, dousing speculations she was awarding posts to her relatives.

The appointment of the two new government executives came amid protests over the series of midnight appointments made by the President towards the end of her term. The President is banned from making new appointments two months before the elections and the remainder of her term.