1 December 2009 / REUTERS, MANILA
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said on Monday she has no plans to retire from politics after her term ends in June next year, and would seek a seat in the lower house of Congress.
Her decision drew criticism from the opposition, which said Arroyo was trying to prolong her grip on power. “I realized I am not ready to step down completely from public service,” Arroyo said in an interview on government radio. “As you all know, the people from my congressional district in Pampanga asked me to stay in politics, so after much 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 hard-working people of my province. Arroyo has been president since 2001, and is not eligible to seek that office again. She is expected to win her seat hands down in the election. “I believe her decision to seek a seat in Congress is part of a larger political plan,” said opposition Senator Manuel Roxas, who is running for vice president.
