Charter expert to Arroyo: Don’t run for House Tonette Orejas Central Luzon Desk
July 05, 2009
ANGELES CITY, Philippines -- One of the framers of the 1987 Constitution said he did not regret failing to include a provision barring a president from running for a lower position after his or her term.
But Father Joaquin Bernas, an expert on constitutional law, said he would rather not see President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo seek a seat in the House of Representatives in 2010 to represent the second district of Pampanga.
“We never thought the President would be humble. If I were her, I will not seek a lower office” Bernas said, when the issue of Arroyo's purported plan cropped up during a forum of the Council of the Laity of the Archdiocese of San Fernando here on Saturday.
Bernas said there were no legal obstacles awaiting Arroyo, who had previously served as vice president and senator, should she decide to run for representative.
“Now, delicadeza ibang bagay ’yan [delicadeza is a different thing],” he told reporters.
“We cannot have everything in the Constitution. There were more important provisions,” Bernas said on why the Charter was explicit against the reelection of a president yet silent on prohibiting a president from serving lower positions.
Asked in the forum if Arroyo could be elected as prime minister in the event she is elected representative and her allies succeed in changing the form of government from presidential to parliamentary, Bernas said: “The prime minister is chosen by the [members of] parliament, not by the direct vote of the people.”
This, he said, made it very important for voters to elect the right leaders.
When a member of the 1,000 or so audience inquired on the possibility that Arroyo would stay longer in power, Bernas said he did not think so.
“I have a feeling it will not happen … but I have no assurance of this,” he said.
He noted that martial rule under the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos happened only because of the cooperation of the military.
Speculations on Arroyo's House bid grew following reports of her 14 visits and service caravans in the second district towns of Guagua, Sasmuan, Lubao, Sta. Rita, Porac and Floridablanca since Feb. 24.
The President has not confirmed or denied the plan.
Her son, Pampanga Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo, the incumbent second district representative, said he was seeking his third and final term.
