Arroyo files Certificate of Candidacy for congressional seat

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday personally filed her Certificate of Candidacy at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Central Office in the Northern Philippines' province of Pampanga to seal her bid for a congressional seat in 2010.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo shows her certificate of candidacy at the Commission on Elections office in San Fernando, Pampanga, north of Manila, the Philippines, Dec. 1, 2009. Arroyo on Tuesday personally filed her certificate of candidacy in her hometown Pampanga to seal her bid for a congressional seat in 2010. (Xinhua Photo)
Mrs. Arroyo was accompanied by her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo, eldest son Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo, and some Cabinet officials and local officials when she filed her COC at 10:35 am.

Rep. Arroyo, whom the President thanked in her remarks, said he has one more term left to serve his district but gave way to his mother who is "10 million times more intelligent than I am."

"I thank God for this privilege and honor of giving way to a better congressman, to a better person, to a great mother, to the best leader our country has ever had. And I thank God that I was born the son of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," Rep. Arroyo said.

He told over a thousand people holding up banners of support for Mrs. Arroyo that his constituents would soon "experience" the President's way of nurturing.

Mrs. Arroyo, who spoke mostly in the dialect, reiterated her desire to continue her public service as the reason for deciding to run for the Congress.

She also stressed that she would prioritize her duties as Chief Executive, especially as local leaders have pledged to campaign for her.

Source: Xinhua