Philippine President Wants to Become Congresswoman

Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Files Candidacy for Congressional Seat

Metro Manila, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo filed today (December 1, 2009) her certificate of candidacy as Congressional representative of Pampanga's second district, the first Philippine leader to seek a lower office after serving the highest position in government.

Arroyo, the 14th Philippine President, submitted her certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in San Fernando City, Pampanga, together with her husband, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, among others. She runs under the Lakas-KAMPI-CMD party.

"After much contemplation, I realized I am not ready to step down completely from public service... I have decided to respond affirmatively to their (people of Pampanga) call. To that end, I will file my candidacy for Congress," Arroyo said in a radio interview yesterday.

More than being viewed as a display of lust for power, Arroyo's move is and has been criticized by some officials, sectors, and even ordinary people as her attempt to seek immunity from suit when she ends her term in June 2010, noting her alleged involvement in quite a few alleged irregularities such as the "Hello, Garci" and the ZTE Broadband deal scandals.

It is also suspected as a strategic move for Arroyo to eventually become Prime Minister once the 15th Congress allows amendments in the Philippine Constitution, paving the way to change in form of government from Presidential to Parliamentary.

"It's very intriguing how, after nine years as President, she claims that she has not done everything. I bet she has a motive for running for Congress, but this is not to continue to serve," Senator Mar Roxas said yesterday.

Senator Francisco Pangilinan, in a statement today, said Arroyo's decision is "motivated by political survival at all costs," recounting the President's involvement in the "Hello, Garci" controversy that allegedly linked her to a massive cheating in the 2004 Presidential elections.