Arroyo to cast vote early in Lubao, then return to Palace

After casting her vote in her hometown of Lubao in Pampanga on Monday, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will rush back to Malacañang to monitor developments on the country’s first automated elections. Deputy presidential spokesman Rogelio Peyuan on Saturday said Mrs. Arroyo will cast her vote early morning, after hearing mass and offering a prayer for clean elections. “Boboto siya sa kanyang presinto (at) naniniwala ako babalik ito sa Malacañang para i-monitor ang kaganapan sa buong bansa (She will vote in her precinct and then I believe she will return to Malacañang to monitor developments on Election Day)," he said on government-run dzRB radio. “Normally maaga bumoboto ang presidente (Normally the president casts her vote early)," he added. Voting centers are expected to open at 7 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Mrs. Arroyo is running for congresswoman in the second district of Pampanga. Her critics claim this is a ploy for her to stay in power (if she wins), as her allies in Congress can push for a shift to a parliamentary form of government, where she can then run for Prime Minister. Peyuan said Mrs. Arroyo will also offer a mass and prayers to make sure the country’s first automated polls are peaceful. “Naging kagawian niya paggising sa umaga dumalo sa misa, at maghandog (siya ng) ng dasal para sa mapayapang halalan (It has been her daily habit to hear mass. She will offer a prayer for peaceful elections)," he said. Peyuan also said the President wants to make sure all plans for clean elections by the Commission on Elections, Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines go smoothly. She also wants to make sure police and military units can react quickly if something untoward happens, he added. — LBG, GMANews.TV