Arroyo visits Pampanga again

MANILA, Philippines - Speculation on her supposed plan to run for congresswoman in her home province in 2010 has barely died down, but President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is visiting Pampanga again on Thursday. A Malacañang statement said Mrs. Arroyo will visit Guagua town, which is in the province's second district - the area she is reportedly planning to represent as a lawmaker. Presidential son Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo is currently the representative in the district. "A hectic day awaits President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's visit to Guagua, Pampanga (Thursday) as she inaugurates the newly-completed Kalayaan Barangay Farm to Market Road and visits the Kalayaan Barangay School constructed by the PAF 355th Aviation Engineering Wing," read the statement which was posted on the Palace website Wednesday night. Critics had accused Mrs. Arroyo of planning to run for congresswoman in Pampanga's second district next year, and run for prime minister once the 1987 Constitution is amended to shift to a parliamentary form of government. They also questioned her frequent visits to Pampanga in past weeks. Last month, Mikey hinted in an exclusive interview with GMANews.TV that he may seek the gubernatorial post in Pampanga and pave the way for his mom to succeed him as representative of the province's second district. University professor and newspaper columnist Randolph "Randy" David had also hinted of challenging Mrs. Arroyo in the congressional race if she pushes through with her reported plan to run for congresswoman. The Liberal Party then expressed interest in getting David should he pushes through with his political plans in Pampanga. But Mrs. Arroyo has yet to categorically speak on her political plans in 2010, which Palace spokespersons said is a personal and private matter for her. The President will end her term in June 2010. A number of her allies, however, said there would be no legal impediments should Mrs. Arroyo seek another post in the 2010 elections. Meanwhile, the Palace statement said the reception party for the farm-to-market road drive-through and inspection are Guagua Mayor Ricardo Rivera, Mikey Arroyo, San Matias Barangay Captain Jesus Sunga, PAF 355th Aviation Engineering Wing Deputy Commander Col. Tomasito Mangulabnan, PNP Central Luzon head Chief Superintendent Leon Nilo de la Cruz and Northern Luzon Commander Maj. Gen. Ricardo David. Mrs. Arroyo will motor to the Bancal Elementary School where she will be received by Bancal Barangay Captain Amelita Pring and School Principal Gloria Pineda. From there, the presidential convoy will proceed to the Guagua Municipal Hall for a meeting with the local and municipal peace and order council; a call by renowned sculptor from Betis, Willy Layug a contender for the National Commission on Culture and the Arts' National Living Treasure award (Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan for 2009). Layug will present to Mrs. Arroyo a copy of his book with a compilation of his sculptures and "retablos" displayed in a number of churches and cathedrals throughout the country. At the town hall's session hall, she will have lunch while presiding over a peace and order council meeting. To attend the meeting are acting Interior Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., PNP chief Director General Jesus Versoza, PNP Director for Integrated Police Operations in Luzon Director Leopoldo Bataoil, Pampanga provincial police head Superintendent Gil Lebin and Guagua police head Superintendent Marcelo Dayag. She will then motor to Guagua East Central Elementary School and then to San Agustin village for an inspection of the ongoing construction of the Guagua town slaughterhouse. - GMANews.TV