The Comelec first division rejected arguments by petitioner M. Abdulaziz Paiso that the President is disqualified to run because she has already served as the country’s Chief Executive.
Paiso argued that Mrs. Arroyo’s candidacy violated the constitutional provision that a person can only be elected president once and cannot seek reelection.
Mrs. Arroyo was elected vice president in 1998 and ascended to the presidency in 2001 after a popular revolt ousted then President Joseph Estrada, who was impeached on corruption charges.
In upholding the validity of the President’s candidacy for a full, six-year term, the Comelec said there is a valid constitutional basis for Mrs. Arroyo to run, as she merely served in Estrada’s absence, having assumed the helm of government in a succession provided for by law. — Jose Aravilla