MANILA, June 4, 2010 (AFP) - With less than a month before she steps down, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Friday said she wanted to be remembered as the leader who modernised the Philippine economy.

The 63-year-old grandmother and former economics professor said she looked forward to a lower-profile role as an elected member of Congress following her nine years in power.

Arroyo is to stand down at midday on June 30 when the new president, Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III is to be sworn into office for a six-year term.

"I would like my presidency to be remembered as one that stabilised the economy, did the fundamentals to modernise our economy and stabilise our country and modernise our economy," she told GMA and ABS-CBN television.

Asked about lessons learnt, Arroyo said: "The lesson is never give up, change is hard, be focused and as my father said, don't be there to enjoy but to sacrifice and be willing to suffer if need be."

Aquino, who is set to be proclaimed by Congress as the official winner of the May 10 vote, has vowed to have Arroyo investigated for alleged corruption and election fraud.

Aides said Arroyo, daughter of the late Philippine leader Diosdado Macapagal, had nothing to answer for and was ready to face her critics.

Elected vice president in 1998, Arroyo came to power in 2001 after a bloodless, military-backed coup ousted then president Joseph Estrada, who was later jailed, convicted of corruption, and pardoned by Arroyo.

Arroyo later won a full six-year term in 2004 elections that were marred by fraud allegations and led to two failed attempts to impeach her.

"I'm the same person -- just older, maybe a little wiser," Arroyo said. "I still have a very strong belief in the Filipino people."

Asked what aspects of her presidency she would not miss, she said: "The destructive politics of the critics who offer no alternative on policies and programmes, just destructive political noise."

Asked to describe herself, she said: "Well, focused, but if you want another word, tough. If you want another word, compassionate."