GMA gunning for House seat
MANILA, Philippines – It’s official: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for congresswoman of the second district of Pampanga.
President Arroyo formally declared her bid for a congressional seat in Pampanga’s second district, a report from a government-run radio station said today. She will be the first Philippine President to pursue a lower public office.
"I have been mulling different ways to stay involved. After much soul searching, I have decided I will file my certificate of candidacy for Congress
in order to serve the hardworking people of my province," Mrs. Arroyo said in a recorded statement aired over government-run dzRB.
Mrs. Arroyo added that she is not ready to leave public service. She is barred by the constitution from seeking a second term, and said today she'll step down following national elections in May, ending her administration's nine tumultuous years.
Atty. Romeo Macalintal, Mrs. Arroyo’s election lawyer, confirmed her decision to gun for a House seat in the May 2010 polls. He is currently holding a press briefing at the Malacañang Palace to discuss Mrs. Arroyo’s 2010 plans in detail.
The President’s certificate of candidacy (COC) will reportedly be filed by her representatives in Pampanga.
President Arroyo greets her townmates as they troop to Malacañang Palace last Friday to urge her to run in the May 2010 elections. Mrs. Arroyo heeds their call, formally announcing today her Congressional bid in the second district of Pampanga. AP
Comelec: GMA can run
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reaffirmed that there is no legal impediment in President Arroyo’s planned congressional bid.
"Yung pag-file ng Pangulo, walang problema dun, walang legal impediment," Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told reporters.
Jimenez said the law does not prohibit the sitting or incumbent President to gun for a lower position in government office.
He noted that elective officials are allowed to return to their duties after filing their COCs.
Mrs. Arroyo's critics have earlier urged her to step down in the event she decides to run for a lower public office. – With Dennis Carcamo, AP
By Dino Maragay (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 30, 2009 03:54 PM
MANILA, Philippines – It’s official: President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for congresswoman of the second district of Pampanga.
President Arroyo formally declared her bid for a congressional seat in Pampanga’s second district, a report from a government-run radio station said today. She will be the first Philippine President to pursue a lower public office.
"I have been mulling different ways to stay involved. After much soul searching, I have decided I will file my certificate of candidacy for Congress
in order to serve the hardworking people of my province," Mrs. Arroyo said in a recorded statement aired over government-run dzRB.
Mrs. Arroyo added that she is not ready to leave public service. She is barred by the constitution from seeking a second term, and said today she'll step down following national elections in May, ending her administration's nine tumultuous years.
Atty. Romeo Macalintal, Mrs. Arroyo’s election lawyer, confirmed her decision to gun for a House seat in the May 2010 polls. He is currently holding a press briefing at the Malacañang Palace to discuss Mrs. Arroyo’s 2010 plans in detail.
The President’s certificate of candidacy (COC) will reportedly be filed by her representatives in Pampanga.
President Arroyo greets her townmates as they troop to Malacañang Palace last Friday to urge her to run in the May 2010 elections. Mrs. Arroyo heeds their call, formally announcing today her Congressional bid in the second district of Pampanga. AP
Comelec: GMA can run
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reaffirmed that there is no legal impediment in President Arroyo’s planned congressional bid.
"Yung pag-file ng Pangulo, walang problema dun, walang legal impediment," Comelec spokesman James Jimenez told reporters.
Jimenez said the law does not prohibit the sitting or incumbent President to gun for a lower position in government office.
He noted that elective officials are allowed to return to their duties after filing their COCs.
Mrs. Arroyo's critics have earlier urged her to step down in the event she decides to run for a lower public office. – With Dennis Carcamo, AP
By Dino Maragay (The Philippine Star)
Updated November 30, 2009 03:54 PM
