Out of all the ridiculous things that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has done during her presidency, appointing her manicurist and gardner to high government positions takes the cake. Arroyo was previously criticized for having a lavish $20,000 dinner at an upscale French New York restaurant in August 2009. According to CBS News, barely three weeks before a national election, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has appointed two of her personal staff to key government posts, including her manicurist. Anita Carpon, previously in charge of the president’s cuticles, has been named a member of the board of trustees of the Home Development Mutual Fund, a government body that loans millions of dollars for housing. Arroyo’s gardener, Armando Macapagal, was earlier named as deputy of the Luneta Park Administration, the country’s national park.

Officials from Malacañang Palace (official Presidential residence) defended Arroyo’s decisions because she aims to make sure that poor employees have due representation on the housing board.  “In the case of Carpon, poor employees are represented by one of their own in Pag-IBIG, because they have to run to [them] for housing needs. One seat is reserved in the board for ordinary employees.” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Gary Olivar stated that, Carpon is still considered a government employee, and that her “lowly” occupation should not be a ground for questioning her competence. These statements does not change the fact that Armando Macapagal supposedly landscapes Malacañang lawns but does not manage people. Carpon is not known for financial expertise to oversee the multibillion-peso housing mutual fund of all employees.