'GMA ready to face charges that may come her way'

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang sees no reason for President Arroyo to evade any charges against her after she steps down on June 30.

Speaking over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, deputy presidential spokesman Rogelio Peyuan said Mrs. Arroyo, as a responsible member of society, would face whatever charges would come her way when she is no longer president. An incumbent president enjoys immunity from suit.

Peyuan said Mrs. Arroyo does not want to pay any attention to the attacks against her, especially those political in nature.

“But I am pretty sure that the President will do her part and behave accordingly the moment she leaves the Palace, and as a member of the House of Representatives, she would perform her duty as the representative of her district in the province of Pampanga,” he said.

In an interview with the ABS-CBN News Channel, Mrs. Arroyo said one thing she would not miss about her presidency is “the destructive politics” of her critics.

“I wish that they could go beyond destructive, personal politics and delve more into what can be good for the future of the country, what programs and policies we can do,” she said.

President-apparent Sen. Benigno Aquino III has vowed to look into all of the allegations against Mrs. Arroyo when he takes over the presidency.

He said he will create a commission that would investigate the allegations and if any evidence is found to support the claims, he vowed to pursue charges against Mrs. Arroyo.