Arroyo still mum on political plans for 2010
AMITA O. LEGASPI, GMANews.TV
11/27/2009 | 01:41 PM
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo might have been 'touched' by the throng of supporters who trooped to Malacañang, urging her to run as Pampanga representative. This, however, did not prompt the President to announce her political plans for next year's polls.
"The President has no decision yet, perhaps we (should) wait for the proper announcement... regarding this matter," said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde during a press conference at the Palace Friday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, some 200 leaders from farming and fishing communities, as well as representatives from cooperatives and business organizations from the second district of Pampanga went to the Palace to convince the President to run in 2010.
Her supporters, who even brought a public address system to voice their concerns, personally gave Mrs. Arroyo their manifesto.
Part of the manifesto read: “Ito ang aming panawagan Pangulong Gloria, kayo po ay aming pinakikiusapan na tumakbo bilang kinatawan sa Kongreso sa ikalawang distrito ng Pampanga, kayo ang gusto naming kumatawan sa amin sa Kongreso upang doon ay ituloy ninyo ang mga nasimulang proyekto at programa, upang doon ay patuloy ninyong maitaguyod ang inyong mga dakilang mithiin hindi lamang sa Pampanga, kundi sa buong bayan."
(This is our call to you President Arroyo, we ask you to run as our representative in the second district of Pampanga. We want you to represent us in the Congress and there you can continue the programs and projects you started, there you can continue advancing your aspirations not only for Pampanga but for the whole nation.)
However, Mrs. Arroyo did not make any categorical answer to her Cabalens but only smiled and said thank you.
"I think siguro any expression of support always in our dialect, 'nakatataba ng puso.' I'm sure human as she is, she felt that, (I think any expression of support, always, in our dialect, 'heartwarming/touching.' I'm sure human as she is, she felt that.)" Remonde said.
There are only four days left before the Dec. 1 deadline for the filing of certificates candidacy (COC) for the May 2010 elections.
Elections lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier hinted to reporters that if not for a seat in Congress, President Arroyo might seek a gubernatorial or vice presidential post, a television report said.
He added that if Mrs Arroyo decides to run she may file her COC on December 1.
Macalintal earlier said that the President need not resign should she decide to seek an elected post. [See: ‘Arroyo can run in 2010 polls without resigning’]
Mrs. Arroyo's frequent visits to Pampanga had bolstered speculations on her plan to seek a seat in Congress representing the province's second district.
Mrs Arroyo had visited her home province for the 50th time this year last Monday. [Arroyo schedules 50th visit to Pampanga]
The second district is composed of the municipalities of Floridablanca, Guagua, Porac, Santa Rita, Sasmuan and Lubao, Arroyo’s hometown. It is currently being represented by Juan Miguel “Mikey" Arroyo, the President’s eldest son.
Mrs. Arroyo's critics accused her of planning to stay in power by running for congresswoman, while her allies in the House are making moves for a shift to a parliamentary form of government. The shift to parliament would allow Mrs. Arroyo - if she wins a House seat in 2010 - a fair chance of becoming a prime minister.
No less than the President's half sister - former Pampanga vice governor Cielo Macapagal Salgado - appealed to Mrs. Arroyo to give others a chance in the battle for the 2nd congressional district in the province. [See: To avoid 2010 battle, half-sis asks PGMA to give way] - JHU, ARCS, GMANews.TV
"The President has no decision yet, perhaps we (should) wait for the proper announcement... regarding this matter," said Press Secretary Cerge Remonde during a press conference at the Palace Friday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, some 200 leaders from farming and fishing communities, as well as representatives from cooperatives and business organizations from the second district of Pampanga went to the Palace to convince the President to run in 2010.
Her supporters, who even brought a public address system to voice their concerns, personally gave Mrs. Arroyo their manifesto.
Part of the manifesto read: “Ito ang aming panawagan Pangulong Gloria, kayo po ay aming pinakikiusapan na tumakbo bilang kinatawan sa Kongreso sa ikalawang distrito ng Pampanga, kayo ang gusto naming kumatawan sa amin sa Kongreso upang doon ay ituloy ninyo ang mga nasimulang proyekto at programa, upang doon ay patuloy ninyong maitaguyod ang inyong mga dakilang mithiin hindi lamang sa Pampanga, kundi sa buong bayan."
(This is our call to you President Arroyo, we ask you to run as our representative in the second district of Pampanga. We want you to represent us in the Congress and there you can continue the programs and projects you started, there you can continue advancing your aspirations not only for Pampanga but for the whole nation.)
However, Mrs. Arroyo did not make any categorical answer to her Cabalens but only smiled and said thank you.
"I think siguro any expression of support always in our dialect, 'nakatataba ng puso.' I'm sure human as she is, she felt that, (I think any expression of support, always, in our dialect, 'heartwarming/touching.' I'm sure human as she is, she felt that.)" Remonde said.
There are only four days left before the Dec. 1 deadline for the filing of certificates candidacy (COC) for the May 2010 elections.
Elections lawyer Romulo Macalintal earlier hinted to reporters that if not for a seat in Congress, President Arroyo might seek a gubernatorial or vice presidential post, a television report said.
He added that if Mrs Arroyo decides to run she may file her COC on December 1.
Macalintal earlier said that the President need not resign should she decide to seek an elected post. [See: ‘Arroyo can run in 2010 polls without resigning’]
Mrs. Arroyo's frequent visits to Pampanga had bolstered speculations on her plan to seek a seat in Congress representing the province's second district.
Mrs Arroyo had visited her home province for the 50th time this year last Monday. [Arroyo schedules 50th visit to Pampanga]
The second district is composed of the municipalities of Floridablanca, Guagua, Porac, Santa Rita, Sasmuan and Lubao, Arroyo’s hometown. It is currently being represented by Juan Miguel “Mikey" Arroyo, the President’s eldest son.
Mrs. Arroyo's critics accused her of planning to stay in power by running for congresswoman, while her allies in the House are making moves for a shift to a parliamentary form of government. The shift to parliament would allow Mrs. Arroyo - if she wins a House seat in 2010 - a fair chance of becoming a prime minister.
No less than the President's half sister - former Pampanga vice governor Cielo Macapagal Salgado - appealed to Mrs. Arroyo to give others a chance in the battle for the 2nd congressional district in the province. [See: To avoid 2010 battle, half-sis asks PGMA to give way] - JHU, ARCS, GMANews.TV
