MANILA, Philippines ? Here?s an apparent sign of things to come.

The townmates of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Lubao, Pampanga can?t seem to get enough of her. After nine years as President, her townmates want her to seek a seat in Congress, according to her deputy spokesperson.

?I would say yes, especially in Lubao,? Undersecretary Lorelei Fajardo said Thursday in response to a question on whether there was a clamor for Ms Arroyo to run for a seat in the House of Representatives.

The President has been making nearly weekly visits to Lubao and other parts of Pampanga to launch programs and inspect projects, fueling speculation that she was wooing her townmates to extend her hold on power.

After presiding over a meeting of the Cabinet and the National Disaster Coordinating Council on Tuesday in San Fernando City, she again visited Lubao.

Malacañang has downplayed these frequent forays to her home province. But at the same time, without confirming her real intent and plan, it has argued that the law does not prohibit Ms Arroyo from seeking another position.

Ms Arroyo is to step down from the presidency on June 30, after a nine-year stint in which her administration was dogged by a string of corruption scandals.

?Just heard it?

Gary Olivar, who speaks for the President on economic matters, aired a perspective on the matter: Ms Arroyo feels at home in Pampanga.

But Fajardo, who usually accompanies the President in her frequent homecomings, admitted that she had not personally witnessed anyone approach Ms Arroyo and tell her she should run for Congress.

?I only heard it from conversations. I?ve never encountered anybody directly tell the President,? she told reporters at a briefing.

Neither could she say what her boss was feeling and thinking about the purported clamor, claiming that this subject had never cropped up in their conversations.

?We don?t talk about it,? Fajardo said. But she said that the purported clamor did not thrill Ms Arroyo who, she pointed out, had served in various positions in the government before she became the President.

?I don?t see why she should be elated by that. She?s been through it all,? Fajardo said.

Asked why she could not air her opinion on Ms Arroyo?s political plans, if any, Fajardo said: ?I defer to the wisdom of the President. I have very strong faith in her. I know that whatever decision she makes, it would be for the best for her, for the country and, maybe, for the people of Pampanga.?