Arroyo Goes To Congress

This is interesting.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to run for Congress in 2010?

But why go down to a lower position?

And why not?

Let's look at the scenario.

GMA's term will end in 2010, and while time is running out, and since election day is only months away, the move for Charter Change has always been prevailant. As columnist Tony Abaya points out, amending the constitution is the simplest and quickest way for Gloria to remain in power beyond 2010.

To stop the continuous clamor by the people for her to step down in 2010, GMA has time and again insisted that she will indeed step down from the palace come 2010. But political analysts are seeing a very peculiar view in the past month. Many have noticed that GMA has been frequently coming to her hometown in Lubao, Pampanga.

Inquirer.net has this report:

Ms Arroyo’s frequent trips to the province have fueled speculations that she plans to seek a congressional seat in her district in 2010.

There are talks in the local business and media circles that her plan is tied to a long-running proposal to amend the 1987 Constitution, mainly to pave the way for the shift from presidential to parliamentary form of government in which a representative can be voted as prime minister.

In other related news, Ellen Tordesillas reports that Mikey Arroyo sought the help of Pangasinan Congressman Joe De Venecia to gather additional support votes for the move to ammend the constitution in Congress.

Sources say that the Arroyos have offered the Speakership back to De Venecia if he is able to help gather the required number of votes.

Malacañang, has, however, denied the allegations.


In closing, I am reminded of a previous statement made by Gloria Arroyo herself in 2007:

"Who knows, I may run for Congress in my hometown."