MANILA - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) sees no problem with the 2 latest presidents—the incumbent, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, and a former, Joseph Estrada—participating in the 2010 polls.

Estrada, who was ousted while in 2001 due to graft charges, filed his candidacy on Monday to pursue the same position.

The incumbent Arroyo, on the other hand, announced today that she will seek another elective post—a legislator in Congress. She has been the Philippines’ president for the past 8 years.

Various groups have been questioning the eligibility of the 2 in vying for elective posts in 2010. But Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez made it clear to reporters on Monday that the law does not prevent them from pursuing elective posts.

The law states that a president is prohibited from pursuing a re-election.

From President to Congresswoman

As for Arroyo, Jimenez said "there's no legal impediment to [her] seeking elective office other than the presidency."

Though she is prohibited from running again for presidency in 2010, there's no prohibition on Arroyo seeking for a congressional seat. "It really has to be lower office," Jimenez said.

Arroyo confirmed on Monday that she will vie for the Congressional seat for the representative of Pampanga province’s second district.

Since the shift in position from Malacanang to Congress is valid, Jimenez said that "everyone agrees that [Arroyo] can run."

Estrada’s bid

Jimenez contends that only an incumbent president is barred from seeking a re-election—something that may or may not apply to Estrada.

The actor-turned-president was not able to finish his 6-year term as president when a street protest, following an impeachment case against him, forced him out of office.

He stepped down in 2001 and was replaced by Arroyo, who was the vice president then.

Jimenez said that Comelec “received his [certificate of candidacy forms] as a matter of course.”

The poll office allowed him to pursue his filing of candidacy since, according to Jimenez, “he does have documents that supports for his point of view.” "It's really just a matter of presenting the right document," he said.

Delicadeza?

Jimenez said the Comelec will entertain complaints—if there will be any—against the candidacy of Arroyo and Estrada.

He said complaints to be considered will "depend on what the grounds are, how the grounds are prepared, and how the case is presented."

As to whether it is ethical for Arroyo and Estrada to join the 2010 polls, Jimenez said “it is a decision that the Comelec will not make.”

It may be an issue of delicadeza, according to him, but “it’s not for [Comelec] to see.”