Gloria has done it all.
First, she stole the presidency from Erap in 2001. Then in 2004, she lied about not running anymore, but she did. Then came the infamous “Hello Garci” scandal which divulged massive election fraud during the 2004 Philippine National Elections. FPJ should’ve been the president.
Several scandals followed her after that, the most infamous of them all was the ZTE-NBN scam which put all previous Erap accusations to shame.
But now, what is this?
GMA wants House seat
Ending speculation about her political plans, President Arroyo declared yesterday that she is running for Congress representing the second district of Pampanga next year.
Speaking over government-run Radyo ng Bayan, Mrs. Arroyo said she realized after “much contemplation” that “I am not ready to step down completely from public service.”
“As you know, the people of my home district in Pampanga want me to remain in public life,” she said in a mix of Filipino and English. “So after much soul-searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call.”
Mrs. Arroyo said she hopes to be a champion for the poor in Congress and work to uplift the economy.
“To that end, I will file my candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hardworking people of my home province,” she said.
She vowed to remain focused on her work as President until her final day in office.
Rómulo Macalintal, Mrs. Arroyo’s lawyer, and Press Secretary Cerge Remonde were present during the interview.
Macalintal told reporters “some local mayors” authorized by Mrs. Arroyo will file her certificate of candidacy (COC) today.
Mrs. Arroyo is ready for any lawsuit after she files her COC, he added.
Macalintal said it was about a month ago that Mrs. Arroyo started contemplating about running for Congress.
“About a month ago, that was talked about, she consulted her family, some supporters in Pampanga,” he said.
“She thought she was still very young and can still serve. That’s the judgment call of the President.”
He was not aware of any dissent from Mrs. Arroyo’s family on her decision, Macalintal said.
Mrs. Arroyo said she studied several options before deciding on continuing to be in politics.
“While I’m very much looking forward to stepping down at the end of my term, I have been mulling different ways to stay involved,” she said.
“I looked at going back to teaching. I have also examined working with non-profit organizations on issues ranging from the environment to women’s issues.
“I thought of many opportunities. One day I hope to pursue them… work for causes near and dear to me, like the fight against climate change, improvement of education and the cause of women.”
Mrs. Arroyo dismissed allegations that she wants to be a member of the House of Representatives to obtain immunity from the torrent of lawsuits to be filed by her political enemies after she steps down from the presidency.
“The only congressional immunity is from libel suits, from utterances made in a congressional session—that’s not what I’m after,” she said.
“This move reflects my ongoing commitment to public service. I have given careful consideration to a number of options that I could pursue upon leaving office.
“But I have come to the conclusion that I can best serve the nation from a seat in Congress should I be elected.”
Mrs. Arroyo said she is determined to champion the poor, fight for a stronger economy, and ensure that health, education and jobs are within reach of all Kapampañgans.
Once elected to Congress, she would get a chance to continue her advocacies “closer to the people,” she added.
Mrs. Arroyo said she will remain “firmly in control of our national government until the last day I am in office,” while campaigning for a seat in the House of Representatives.
“As President, my first commitment is to the nation we all love,” she said.
“My bid for Congress will be only spirited but secondary to my duty as President. I will devote very little time for my campaign for Congress.
“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.”
Mrs. Arroyo said she would continue to pour resources to the Comelec to ensure free, fair and open elections next year.
“And then I will work cooperatively with the incoming administration so they can hit the ground running,” she said. philstar.com
OK. Let’s put this into more simpler terms. Let us just say, for one hot minute, that all her excuses were acceptable.
BUT!!! —
Whatever happened to delicadeza? She should know what the word means; the last time I heard, Spanish is her language…
Her declaration only puts a black eye to the Maguindanáo Massacre. Instead of focusing on resolving this latest smear to her already scandal-riddened administration, she selfishly thought it best to announce her greed for power.
Shame on you.
GMA should expect to see more of this -- hopefully in Pampanga.
FILIPINO eSCRIBBLES 