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Tacloban City - Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has urged President Macapagal-Arroyo to abandon plans of running for a congressional seat as the vast powers she enjoys would give her undue advantage over her opponents.
“If the President is prohibited (from running again for the presidency) to avoid possible use of the vast powers available to her under the laws of the land and in our Constitution, how much more if she will run for a political district? That is why, I am discouraging her from running,” Enrile said during a press conference held yesterday.
Enrile was among the senators invited by Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez for the Sangyaw Festival, one of the highlights of the 20th city fiesta.
Under 1987 Constitution, an incumbent President like Ms. Arroyo has been barred from seeking reelection to avoid the use of the President's tremendous powers, Enrile pointed out. Other constitutional law experts say the ban on reelection is absolute and refers to everybody who has been elected to the presidency and has served as President.
Enrile said that there could be no doubt that the President, if she were to run for a congressional seat, would use her position to win, leaving her opponents with little chance of winning.
Arroyo, who is to step down from Malacañang in 2010, is reportedly interested in running for a congressional seat in Pampanga, allegedly to give her some immunity against the possible charges she could face upon the expiration of her term./Inquirer
