'GMA still wants to serve'

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo wants to continue serving the people even after she steps down from office in June 30 next year, her election lawyer said yesterday.

Lawyer Romulo Macalintal, who has been authorized to speak on the issue on Mrs. Arroyo’s possible political plans for next year, said her work as President would not be adversely affected if she runs for Congress representing the sixth district of Pampanga.

“There is no serious contender against her in case she runs,” Macalintal said in a telephone interview, stressing that she has not yet expressly informed him of her decision to run.

“The President is still young and she feels that there’s still a lot of things she can do to continue public service,” he said.

“The way I see it, she wants to continue serving the people.”

Macalintal said there is also no legal impediment for her to seek another post in the May 2010 elections.

“The President has been in many key government posts in her political career, so I think she would prefer to work in official capacity,” he said.

Sources said Mrs. Arroyo might file her certificate of candidacy tomorrow.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said Mrs. Arroyo was likely touched by the appeal of her son —Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo —to run in his place.

“No mother can’t be touched by such a plea from her son,” Remonde said.

He also dismissed insinuations that the reported plans of the President were connected to her effort to amend the Constitution and change the form of government

“Charter change is always an issue in every administration as it has been an issue during the time of (the late) President (Ferdinand) Marcos. It has became an issue and surfaced again during the time of (the late) President (Corazon) Aquino as it was pushed by (former) President (Fidel) Ramos during his time and again surfaced during the time of (former) President (Joseph) Estrada.”

“In other words, the issue of Charter change will always be with us and among us regardless of who would be in power,” he said. -- Paolo Romero