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Arroyo to run for Congress
[Straits Times] Philippine President Gloria Arroyo announced on Monday she would seek to remain in politics after her term ends next year by running for a seat in parliament.'I will file my candidacy for congress in order to serve the hardworking people of my province,' Mrs Arroyo, 62, said on government radio DZRB. 'I hope to be a champion for the poor and to work to uplift the economy.... I will work for this from a position closer to the people.' Mrs Arroyo will seek a lower house seat representing her home province of Pampanga. Critics allege Mrs Arroyo, who is mandated by the constitution to step down as president next year, wants to enter parliament to retain immunity against potential corruption charges that could otherwise be filed against her. They say it also may allow Mrs Arroyo and her allies to change the constitution so she could continue ruling the country as prime minister under a Westminster system of government, rather than the current US-style presidential model. But, in the radio interview, Mrs Arroyo dismissed both accusations. 'Congressional immunity is only from libel suits for utterances made in Congressional sessions. That is not what I am after. This will reflect my own level of commitment to public service,' she said on the graft issue. Posted by: Fred 2009-12-01 |
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