President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will definitely step down in 2010 and run for Congress in her home province of Pampanga. This was disclosed by the Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman. “This should allay the fears of the opposition about the no-election scenario,” Pangandaman adds.
The opposition has warned that the Charter change (Cha-cha) being pushed by Malacanang’s allies in the House of Representatives through a constituent assembly (Con-ass) was meant to extend her term beyond 2010.
But Pangandaman said Ms Arroyo had no hand in the Cha-cha efforts and that it was the initiative of Congress, particularly Speaker Prospero Nograles. He said Ms Arroyo herself was not in favor of Cha-cha under her administration. “She said it could come later. Let the people decide after the elections,” Pangandaman said.
A latest Social Weather Stations survey shows 43 percent of Filipino voters do not believe Ms Arroyo intends to step down next year.
