'GMA to abandon post once she files COC'

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo would be abandoning the presidency if she runs for Congress in next year’s elections, according to a taxpayer opposing her plan.

Replying to the Commission on Elections’ comment to his petition before the Supreme Court, Henry Giron said Mrs. Arroyo was elected president to perform executive functions.

“If she runs for a legislative post that would mean she no longer wants to be in the executive department,” read Giron’s reply.

“That is already a case of abandonment of people’s mandate, and this is why many people are saying that she would already forfeit her seat if she pursues that plan.”

Giron, who heads the Article 64 Movement, said the SC must take a second look at the provision of Republic Act. 9006, the Fair Elections Act, which repealed Section 67 of the Omnibus Election Code that required elected officials to resign from their posts if they run for other positions – except for president and vice president.

“By repealing Section 67, it only attracts political adventurism among public officials,” read Giron’s reply.

Giron said campaigning for another position in an election while completing an elective term of office is against the public accountability clause of the Constitution.

“It has been explained that if the mandate, for instance, the senator is to serve for six years, then in the midyear of his term, he ran for other office, then that clearly shows that he has no intention to service the mandate of the people which was placed upon him and therefore he should be considered ipso facto resigned,” read Giron’s reply.

“He abandoned this solemn duty to uphold this clear and unmistakable mandate given to him by the people.”

In its comment to Giron’s petition, the Comelec said the SC had already resolved the issues raised and upheld the constitutionality of the repealing clause of RA 9006 on Dec. 29, 2003 in the case of Rodolfo Fariñas vs. Executive Secretary.

However, Giron said the SC had ruled twice in separate cases and upheld the constitutionality of Section 67 of the Omnibus Election Code prior to the Fariñas case.

On Oct. 15, 1991, the SC upheld the constitutionality of Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr.’s, administrative act of removing Rep. Ali Dimaporo’s name from the roll of the House of Representatives, he added.

Giron said in that case, the SC pointed out the basic concept that a public office is a public trust.

“It is created for the interest and benefit of the people,” read the SC decision.

“As such, the holder thereof is subject to such regulations and conditions as the law may impose and he cannot complain of any restrictions which public policy may dictate on his office.”

‘GMA’s plan to run known’

BAGUIO  CITY – President Arroyo’s bid for Congress is well known among her cabalen, according to an Ibon Foundation survey.

At least 76 percent of Kapampangans know Mrs. Arroyo’s plan, Ibon said in its latest nationwide survey done on Oct. 2-8 using multi-stage probability sampling scheme.

However, only 16.9 percent were in favor of Mrs. Arroyo’s stay in government this way, and almost half (44.6 percent) were not in favor.

Around the country, 61 percent of the total 1,496 respondents “are aware Mrs. Arroyo will run for Congress,” said Rosario Guzman, executive director of Ibon who furnished The STAR with the results of their survey. 

Those not favoring Mrs. Arroyo to stay longer in government even as a Pampanga lawmaker numbered 85.8 percent. – Edu Punay, Artemio Dumlao