Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (person)

update As Gritchka points out, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo became president of the Philippines on Feb 20, 2001.  This happened after people power booted Joseph Estrada out of office.  While I was critical of her actions, I wish her well, and hope she be instrumental in bringing the country out of economic doldrums. 

Politically, this is a soundstrategy.  She knew full well that because of her popularity among the masses, she would become the president after Erap, whether he finished his term or not.  Yet, she must have known as well that Erap was bad news for the Philippines, that he would ruin the economy.  She probably knew that she was the only one who could hope to challenge Estrada to the highest position in the land.