Arroyo's resignation sought amid congressional bid

At least two senators on Wednesday urged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to step down from office while she pursues her congressional bid in her home province of Pampanga. “The temptation to use all the powers of the office to ensure her victory in the elections in the district and that of her allies in other districts nationwide is too difficult to resist especially when one is motivated by political survival," said Sen. Francis Pangilinan. Sen. Francis “Chiz" Escudero, for his part, said other elected and appointed officials who will run in next year's elections should also quit their posts out of delicadeza. "They should take it upon themselves not to receive the salary for a position they no longer want to have as shown by their filing of [certificates of candidacy] for a different position. Delicadeza dictates nothing less," he said. Pangilinan, however, was not keen to the idea that other elected officials, particularly lawmakers, who have ambitions in 2010 should resign. “The difference with the Office of the President is that the power over the release of billions of government funds lies in her hands. This isn’t the case for legislators," he said. President Arroyo, who filed her COC Tuesday, will be running for Congress representing the second district of Pampanga, a move that drew criticisms from many sectors and personalities, including former President Fidel V. Ramos. Critics of the administration said President Arroyo would just use the House of Representatives as her stepping stone to become prime minister if her allies in Congress succeed in changing the form of government to parliamentary system through Charter change. - Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMANews.TV