Pro-admin solons tell GMA to run

Tuesday, 07 July 2009

Party List Rep. Joel Villanueva of CIBAC (Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption) said President Arroyo’s frequent visits to Pampanga are indications that she will indeed seek a congressional seat in the province, where she is a registered voter in its second district. BARELY a month after Speaker Prospero Nograles Jr. suggested that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should not run in the 2010 elections, her supporters are egging her to do so, arguing that it is her constitutional right. Yesterday, pro-administration lawmakers said President Arroyo is entitled to seek a congressional seat in Pampanga “if she wants to, in the same way that she is not compelled to seek a lower office.” Occidental Mindoro Rep. Amelita Villarosa  argued that the decision is “personal” to the President, whose term ends on June 30, 2010. “It’s a personal decision and nobody else’s. Running for an elective position is our constitutional right and whatever her plans are should not be influenced by anyone,” stressed Villarosa, the House Deputy Speaker for Women. Villarosa was reacting to reports that Father Joaquin Bernas, a constitutional law expert, said he would rather that President Arroyo not seek a seat in the House of Representatives in 2010. Party List Rep. Joel Villanueva of CIBAC (Citizens’ Battle Against Corruption) said President Arroyo’s frequent visits to Pampanga are indications that she will indeed seek a congressional seat in the province, where she is a registered voter in its second district. The district is now represented by the President’s son, Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo. Representatives Abraham Mitra (Palawan) and Paul Daza (Northern Samar) agreed that the President is entitled under the Constitution to run for a lower position. Mitra, a senior House deputy majority leader said the people, not a constitutional expert, will be the ones who will judge President Arroyo. Father Bernas, according to Daza, is entitled to his opinion in the same way that the President is entitled to her own decision. According to Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay, President Arroyo will be the one to make the decision on whether or not to seek a congressional seat next year.      SOURCE: PEOPLE’S JOURNAL by Raul S. Beltran, July 7, 2009

Last Updated ( Tuesday, 07 July 2009 )

 

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