Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is selected as the fourth most powerful woman in the world in terms, according to local reports Friday, quoting the latest global survey of feminine clout conducted by Forbes magazine.

Arroyo rose jumped five places in the 2005 poll, behind Ukranian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko and Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi.

The Forbes poll noted, however, that the "scandal-plagued president of the Philippines" could soon lose her place in the list, similar to the fate of former Indonesia president Megawati Sukarnoputri.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice topped the annual list, beating out presidents, celebrities and businesswomen.

Margaret Whitman, eBay chief executive, placed fifth in the annual survey, followed by Xerox chief executive Anne Mulcahy.

US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, who also topped the Forbes list of most powerful celebrities, entered the top 10 list at number 9 while Melinda Gates, wife of billionaire Microsoft founder Bill Gates, placed 10th.

The annual Forbes power rankings are based on a composite of media visibility and economic impact.

Source: Xinhua