By ELLEN TORDESILLAS
PRESIDENT Gloria Arroyo Monday announced that she will be running for the congressional seat in the second district of Pampanga, currently being held by her son Mikey, in the 2010 elections.
Arroyo read a prepared message at a government radio station, DYRB:” After much contemplation I realized I am not yet ready to step down completely from public service…To that end, I will file my candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hardworking people of my province.”
Her lawyer, Romulo Makalintal, said Arroyo will continue performing her duties as president until June 30, 2010 even as she campaigns for the congressional seat. A number of opposition leaders said propriety dictates that she steps downfrom Malacañang once she decides to run for an elective position in 2010.
Makalintal said a representative of Arroyo will file in her behalf her certificate of candidacy in Pampanga Tuesday in San Fernando, Pampanga after a 9 a.m. mass in Lubao.
Arroyo’s statement:
Mga kababayan, lubos na karangalan at pribilehiyo sa akin na maglingkod sa taongbayan bilang Pangulo.
Gumawa ng malalaking pagsulong sa bagay ng ating economy, education, foreign affairs and job creation. While I’m very much looking forward to stepping down as president at the end of my term, I have been mulling different ways to stay involved.
Tiningnan ko ang pagbalik sa pagtuturo. I have also examined ways of working with non-profit organizations on issues ranging from the environment to women’s issues. After much contemplation, I realized I am not ready to step down completely from public service.
As you know, people from my hometown in the second district of Pampanga have been asking me to remain in public service. So after my soul searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call.
To that end, I will file my candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hardworking people of my province.
Ang paglingkod sa publiko ay banal na trabaho. At a very young age, it was emblazoned in my DNA. Umaasa akong ipagpatuloy ang pagkampiyon ang pangangailangan ng mahihirap, ipaglaban ang mas malakas na economy at tiyakin na nasa kaabutan ng karaniwang pamilyang Kapampangan ang education, kalinga sa kalusugan at trabaho.
Binibigyan ako nito ng pagkakataong ituloy ang paglilingkod mula sa puwestong mas malapit sa taong bayan.
Hayaan niyong linawin ko, I will be firmly in control of our national government until the last day I am in office. As president, my first commitment is to the nation we all love. My bid for Congress will be spirited but secondary to my duties as president. We have come too far and too much is at stake for me to waiver these last few months from my commitment to the people of the nation. I will keep a steady hand on the tiller of the ship of state.
Our nation is entering a crucial election year at a time when our economy has just survived a global recession. Though the lead in ensuring free, fair and open elections belong to the Comelec, now more than ever, it is is important for me to focus on the Executive’s duty to help the Comelec perform its role. I will ensure the resources required by the Comelec to see the elections through and then I will work cooperatively with the incoming administration so that they can hit the ground running.
University of the Philippines Professor Randy David has backed out of his threat to run against Arroyo if she decides to run. David said he does not want to subject his family to the pressures of politics.
Political observers said once elected in the House of Representatives, Arroyo and her cohorts are expected to work for a change of the Constitution and shift to parliamentary system of government so she can return to power as prime minister.
Following is the transcript of the question and answer portion:
Q: Matamis na oo. Paano na yung tatakbo kayo, how will you run the country?
A: My primary obligation will be my constitutional duties as president. Malaking karangalan sa akin maging Pangulo. I look forward to stepping down but I will remain firmly in charge of the nation. Our economy, defense, and foreign policy till the last day I am in office. Konting-konting panahon lamang ang gagamitin ko sa kampanya para sa Congress.
Q: Some say running for congress at this time is irresponsible.
A: Alam ng lahat kung gaano kasipag ako bilang Pangulo ng ating bansa. I will continue with that level of commitment until my last day as president. I believe in public service. I want to continue to the welding of the nation in some ways. I am completely confident that I will perform the duties of president with the same level of intensity and commitment as I always have. I will be steadfast and responsible to the nation until my last day in office.
Q: People saying that maybe you want to run to hide in congressional immunity.
A: The only congressional immunity is from libel suits, from utterances made in a congressional session. Hindi ‘yon and hinahabol ko. This move reflects my ongoing commitment to public service. I have given careful consideration to a number of options that I could pursue upon leaving office. But I have come to the conclusion that I can best serve the nation from a seat in Congress should I be elected. Habang nagiginhawaan akong bumaba bilang Pangulo sa susunod na taon, I was looking for the best way for me to continue to contribute to public life. This campaign w and a seat in Congress will satisfy the call of my constituents and my desire for public office.
Q: Other options, life after the presidency.
A: Oo. pinagisipan ko ang maraming opportunity. One day I hope to pursue them. Halimbawa, balang araw puwede akong bumalik sa pagtuturo. Or work for causes near and dear to me, like the fight against climate change, improvement of education and the cause of women. Lahat ng mga pagkakataong ito ay bukas pa sa mga darating na panahon but now, the best way to continue to champion the things I love is in Congress.
Q: Another concern, there are allegations that you just want to bide your time until chacha succeeds and you become Prime Minister.
A: That situation is so hypothetical I won’t even bother to speculate about it.
Q: Maguindanao.
A: What happened in Maguindanao shocked me. It’s a black mark on our nation. I worked every day in office to bring peace to that region. Ipagpapatuloy ko ang pagsisikap na ito hanggang sa huling sandali ng aking termino. No one will provide a stronger hand on the direction of the nation in the coming months than me. I will do my best to keep our people safe and secure, our economy growing, and to help Comelec perform its duty of keeping our elections free.
Q: Parting message
A: Napagusapan mo ang nangyari noong isang linggo. At may malaking kaalaman yon din sa ating media. No nation can consider itself truly free if freedom of speech, political expression if the press is not supported. Our nation has a history of a vibrant press. what happened in Mindanao, aside from violation of human rights also sent a chill down the spine of journalism. I will be attending the wake of some victims as a modest expression of the nation’s outrage and my personal shock. Men and women, Muslim and Christians have drawn the line. The men and women who represent the media are part of the essential fabric of this nation. The press is one of the vital institutions in a democratic society. It’s importance is indicated in the allusion to it as the fourth estate, virtually a fourth branch in our democracy together with the legislative, executive and judicial branches. If there is a silver lining to this dark cloud, I hope it is to dedicate our nation to freedom of the press, freedom of political expression and freedom from political violence.