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INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos.
MANILA, Philippines - (UPDATE 2) President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will run for a congressional seat in the second district of her home province in Pampanga.
Arroyo, who made the announcement in an interview aired live over government-run station dzRB, said she realized she could not completely leave public service yet after nine years in Malacanang, adding that “it is emblazoned in my DNA.”
“After much contemplation, I realized I am not ready to step down completely from public service. Gaya ng alam ninyo, hiniling din ako ng mga mamamayan ng aking tahanang distrito sa Pampanga na manatili sa buhay publiko (As you all know, constituents in my home district in Pampanga are asking me to stay in public office).”
“So after much soul-searching I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call,” she added.
“To that end, I will file my candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hardworking people of my home province. Ang paglingkod sa publiko ay banal na trabaho. (Serving the public is a noble job). At a very young age it is emblazoned in my DNA,” she said.
Arroyo, who served nine years in office, becomes the first Philippine president who will seek a lower position as a member of the House of Representatives after her term ends.
The President is expected file her certificate of candidacy on December 1 through a representative, according to her lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
Arroyo’s eldest son, Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo is the incumbent representative in the province’s second district.
Arroyo assured that her congressional run would not get in the way of her presidential duties.
“My bid for Congress will be spirited but secondary to my duty as President. We have come too far and too much is at stake for me to waver in these last few months on my commitment to the people of the nation. I will keep a steady hand on the tiller of the ship of state,” she said.
She said she would devote only few time for campaigning in her district.
As a member of the House of Representatives, she also vowed to “work cooperatively with the incoming administration so they can hit the ground running.”
Arroyo said she will ensure that the needed resources are poured to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to have fair and credible automated elections.
Not seeking immunity
She dismissed talks she was seeking a congressional seat to become Prime Minister when Congress shifts to a parliamentary form of government.
“That is so hypothetical, I won’t even bother to speculate about it,” she said in the interview following her statement.
She said she was not also seeking the post to have immunity from suits.
“The only congressional immunity is from libel suit or utterances made in congressional session, hindi yun ang habol ko (That is not what I am after), this reflects my ongoing commitment to public service,” she said.
Priding her self for moving the economy forward, creating jobs, and establishing good international relations during her term, Arroyo said she intends to give the same effort, this time to her province mates.
She said she was looking forward to stepping down in June next year, but wanted to be continuously involved. She said she thought of going back to the academe to teach or work for non-profit organizations to push forward environment and women’s issues.
The signs have been present that she was not retiring yet.
Last Friday, a group of farmers form Pampanga trooped to Malacanang and urged her to continue serving them by running next year.
On Thursday, the Pampanga Mayors’ League circulated a resolution signed by 20 town mayors urging Arroyo to “heed the clamor form her constituency to run as second district representative…in Pampanga.”
Arroyo is a registered voter in Lubao, the hometown of her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal. Lubao is among the six towns in the district, the second vote-rich area in Pampanga after the third district.
The President has visited Pampanga 47 times this year, 18 of which were made in Lubao, according to Philippine Daily Inquirer report.
Earlier in the day, at the Commission on Elections office in Manila, the President’s lawyer said the President would make her decision known by lunch today in Pampanga.
“The President has not given definite word but based on her body language, she seriously considers running,” said election lawyer Romulo Macalintal.
Tsk tsk tsk. Wa na gyud nauwaw si GMA.
GMA Confirms She Will Run for Congress.
Originally Posted by Leartes
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