Norberto Gonzales drops political plans in Bataan

Claiming he has "much bigger" work ahead, National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales dropped his plans to seek a congressional seat this May. Gonzales said Monday he was going to Bataan province to tell his supporters about his plan to stay away from politics, at least this year. "Nadesisyunan ko medyo umiinit nang husto ang aking trabaho, di ko iiwanan muna (I have decided not to leave my present post because the situation is heating up)," he said in an interview on dzXL radio Monday morning. He did not elaborate but made references to his "battle" against the New People's Army (NPA) and groups that he accused of being communist fronts. Militant groups had accused Gonzales of spearheading government efforts to "persecute" them. Gonzales had linked party-list groups to the NPA and the Communist Party of the Philippines. Gonzales earlier said he was eyeing a congressional seat in Bataan and may run under his Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) party. "Ako papunta sa Bataan ngayon, maghihingi ng paumanhin sa kababayan bagama't nais ko maglingkod sa kanila hinahanap tayo ng mas malaking trabaho (Today I'm going to Bataan to ask understanding from my supporters. I want to serve them but I face a bigger duty now)," he said. Gonzales is the third official and ally of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to drop political plans to run this May. Former police chief Arturo Lomibao dropped plans to run in Pangasinan after President Arroyo talked him into supporting the government's Team Unity instead. Last week, Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno dropped plans to run for Antipolo congressman. - GMANews.TV