MANILA - Speaker Prospero Nograles does not believe it is a good idea for President Gloria Arroyo to seek a seat in the Lower House in next year’s elections.
 
“I am not privy to her (Arroyo’s) plans for 2010. If I’m asked, I will tell her ‘Huwag na lang, mam.’ But I have not been asked,” Nograles told reporters during a press conference at his office.
 
At the same time, he said there is nothing wrong about the President’s visits to the innermost communities of her home province of Pampanga, particularly the second congressional district where she is a registered voter.
 
In fact, the Speaker said Mrs. Arroyo’s actions should quell rumors of supposed plans by her administration to scuttle next year’s polls.
 
“Ako nga, third term na rin but I still travel all over Davao. Her actions alone should confirm that there will be an election in 2010,” he said.
 
Nograles pointed out that having served in the presidency for nine years, there is nothing left for Mrs. Arroyo to prove.
 
“I don’t think, after being President, …tatakbo pa sya (for a lower post)… because there’s nothing more to prove. She has been president, that was the epitome of power. That’s the highest post in government,” he explained.
 
And even if Arroyo does decide to run for Congress anyway and wins, Nograles said she would still be a long way from landing the post of Speaker or Prime Minister if plans to shift to a parliamentary form of government materialize.
 
“When you talk of the next Congress, there is no way to find out what it’s composition will be. Your guess is as good as mine. So many of the present members are on their third terms. We don't know how many of the first and second termers are going to seek re-election and even if they do (run again), if they can win,” he added.