MANILA, Philippines – There is “no legal impediment” against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo running for a lower position in 2010, the spokesman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Tuesday.

But doing so could pose an ethical issue for Arroyo, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.

“Is it okay for the President to run for a lower position? Absolutely. Why not? There’s no legal impediment to a president seeking any other position. She can run for municipal councilor if that is her pleasure, he said in a forum Tuesday.

“My suspicion is that it might be more of an ethical rather than a legal issue,” Jimenez added.

Arroyo’s 17 visits to her home province of Pampanga since January have fueled speculation that she would run for a seat in the House of Representatives.

The President’s allies in the House are also pushing for the convening of a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution, which could pave the way for her to become prime minister if Charter change shifts the country’s form of government to a federal-parliamentary system.