Arroyo sure to lose if she runs for VP, senator says

While President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s allies remain overly convinced that she still has that winning streak, a senator believes that with her popularity slipping deeper into the abyss, the President will no longer win if she runs next year for the second highest post of the land. “I doubt very much if she will run for VP. Her approval ratings are in the negative. Public disenchantment over her leadership is widespread…and cuts across all sectors," said Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan. The senator issued the statement on Friday after leaders of the administration party told media that they had started discussing about the political future of Mrs. Arroyo. Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, senior deputy secretary general of Lakas-Kampi-CMD, said party leaders had talked about the possibility of the President either seeking a congressional seat as Pampanga representative or becoming the running mate of Gilberto Teodoro Jr. Suarez thinks Mrs. Arroyo will be an asset to Teodoro. But the President's critics believe that she'll be a "kiss of death" to any candidate that will be identified with her. In fact, Pangilinan, is sure that Mrs. Arroyo, who is being accused of cheating in the 2004 presidential post, won’t make it to another national post. “The beleaguered governance of (Arroyo) has the country clamoring for genuine change, and Filipinos will no longer support traditional politicians who are responsible for the current plight of the nation. She will not risk running and losing. The stakes are too high, and the risks too great," said Pangilinan. She’d better train her sights on local politics, according to the senator. “Most likely, she will seek a local post where she has better chances of winning." And many believe that’s what Mrs. Arroyo is actually doing now - wooing Pampanga, frequenting her home province, already 47 times this year. Is it premature campaigning? Her critics, and even supporters, can only read between the lines. - GMANews.TV