Enrile says Arroyo's congressional bid is 'foolish'

As to senate president Juan Ponce Enrile, the idea of president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo running for a congressional seat come 2010 would be a ‘foolish’ move.

In an interview with dzBB radio published in GMANews.tv on Sunday, Enrile said Mrs. Arroyo should first relinquish the presidency in order for her not to gain any advantage if ever she would run for a congressional seat in her native, Pampanga. Enrile further stated that by doing so (resigning), the president would fail to fulfill the covenant she made to the people -- that she will serve her full term of office. On the other hand, election lawyer and well-known administration supporter Romulo Macalintal believes otherwise. Macalintal said that the president need not to resign, should she seek public office at a lower position. The election lawyer also added that there are no prohibitions that will hinder her possible congressional bid. Macalintal also noted that "resignation only applies to appointive officials once they file a certificate of candidacy" Meanwhile, Malacanang said that the president's decision is not important and identifies that the relevant thing is that the 2010 elections would push though -- discrediting speculations that the president is mapping out a plan to extend her term of presidency. Critics claimed that the president will run for congress in the 2010 national elections and would lead constitutional amendments that will change the system of governance into parliamentary. Thus, under the parliamentary system, Mrs. Arroyo can run for a prime minister -- a position as equal as of the president's.