MANILA, Philippines ? Malacañang said detained Marine Colonel Ariel Querubin was ?free to dream? about running for senator in 2010.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said that while he could not comment on Querubin?s qualifications, he said the Marine officer?s participation in an alleged plot to unseat President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2006 ?does not show any good.?

?Malaya tayong managinip, pwede tayong managinip ng ganon [Everybody is free to dream, we can all dream that way],? Golez said when asked about Querubin?s declaration that he would seek a Senate seat in 2010.

?Hindi ko kilala si Colonel Querubin, ang pagkatao niya, ang pag-defy niya sa chain of command, nakikita ko, to me that does not show any good [I don?t know Colonel Querubin personally but his defying the chain of command, the way I see it, does not show any good],? the spokesman said.

Golez said it was up to Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez to comment on the legality of Querubin?s candidacy.

Querubin is among 28 Army Scout Ranger and Marine officers charged with mutiny before a court martial over an alleged coup plot in February 2006.

Querubin said he was ready to campaign from detention.

If he runs and wins, Querubin will become the second detained military officer linked to a supposed oust-Arroyo plot to win a Senate seat, after ex-Navy lieutenant Antonio Trillanes IV in 2007.

Trillanes has not been allowed to leave his Fort Bonifacio detention to perform his duties as senator.