GMA won't hold kick-off rally

MANILA, Philippines - President Arroyo will not hold a kickoff rally or wage a campaign in her bid to land a congressional seat in the second district of Pampanga once the campaign period at the local level officially starts on March 26.

Press Secretary Crispulo Icban and Candaba Mayor Gerry Pelayo, in separate interviews, said her supporters will do the campaigning for her because she prefers to focus on finishing her program as President in the remaining days of her term.

“There are no instructions to prepare for sorties or a proclamation rally,” Pelayo said in Filipino. “It will be us who will carry her campaign to victory.”

He recalled that when local officials from Pampanga trooped to the Palace last year to convince her to run, she expressed concern that such a move would affect her work as President.

Icban said Mrs. Arroyo has in the past been making frequent visits to her hometown in Pampanga, especially during weekends, but has not done so in recent weeks.

“You have seen how she works, wherever she is, she is running the country,” Icban said, referring to the frequent out-of-town trips of Mrs. Arroyo to fast-track the completion of ongoing projects.

“The President can govern even from Mindanao,” he said.

First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo said he would be willing to take up the slack and campaign for his wife in her district, along with their son, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo.

He said Mrs. Arroyo told him that she would prefer to “concentrate on governance.”

“I’ll campaign for the President,” he told reporters.