The study covers the period 2000-2009, which coincides with the term of
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This decade may be considered as a very trying period
for the Philippines, and continues to be so as the country faces the challenges of
a ever ballooning population, massive poverty, the increasing disparity between
the rich and the poor, growing lack of livelihood opportunities, continuing
exodus of skilled workers, political instability, a bureaucracy riddled by
corruption, and pockets of civilian strife and armed confl ict.