Pia: No motivation for GMA to run for Congress
except to win extended immunity

Senator Pia S. Cayetano today said she sees no other motivation for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in seeking a congressional seat in her home province of Pampanga in next year's elections, except to abuse the privilege of immunity from various criminal and administrative complaints expected to be filed against her once her terms expires.

"If politics after 2010 were a reality game show of 'Survivor,' Mrs. Arroyo appears to be playing to win immunity, out of desperation," said Cayetano, a member of the Senate minority and chair of the Senate Committee on Social Justice.

"She has already served one full term as Senator, three years as Vice President, and the equivalent of 1.5 terms as President. So what else does she want to prove to Filipinos by running for Congress? Clearly, her only conceivable motivation is to gain political immunity and influence that come with holding a high public office," she added.

"While there's nothing legally wrong in her seeking a House seat, there's definitely something morally infirm in such scenario given the cases of plunder, fraud and abuse which she refused to act decisively upon under her presidency."

"And what will this impress on the minds of our youth? That a public official can get away with abuse by perpetuating herself in power?" she asked.

She raised two possible scenarios that administration allies could be hatching to gain extended immunity for Mrs. Arroyo:

"First, suppose she wins a congressional seat and her allies succeed in controlling the numbers in the House, she may be voted House Speaker and wield control over crucial political exercises such as impeachment and the crafting of the yearly national budget. She could very well use these powers as leverage against any government agency or official going after her ... including the next President."

"Or second, should her House allies succeed in transforming our government into a parliamentary system through Charter change, she could assume the post of Prime Minister and continue to enjoy immunity for yet another indeterminate period."

"These scenarios are not far-fetched given the administration's rapacious character. But I still trust that the people will not allow any of these to happen."

"Sooner or later, Mrs. Arroyo would have to face the ghosts of her administration. She should just drop the plan to run for Congress and instead prepare to face the law and accept the people's judgment," she concluded.