Former president Arroyo seeking reelection as Pampanga solon

Former president and incumbent Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (SENATE PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — Former president and incumbent Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Tuesday announced that she will not run for senator and would seek reelection instead.

Arroyo, in a statement, said she has no intention of returning to ‘that’ role again.

The former president was elected and served as senator from 1992 to 1998 — and at that time had the most number of votes in any elections.

“To clarify, I will not be seeking a Senate seat in the upcoming election, as I have no intention of pursuing that role again,” Arroyo said.

“I have officially declared my candidacy for a second term as Congresswoman of the second district of Pampanga, where I am committed to addressing the needs and priorities of my constituency and the province of Pampanga,” she added.

Several personalities have already formalized their bid for congressional seats in the 20th Congress. 

Earlier, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez filed his certificates of candidacy (COC) for Leyte’s 1st District congressional seat.

In Metro Manila, nine individuals have filed their COC at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) headquarters at Greenhills, San Juan City at the first four hours after the poll body accepted applications:

• Luis Uy (Manila 6th District/ Aksyon Demokratiko) 
• Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Mary Mitzi Cajayon Uy (reelection/ Lakas-CMD)
• Jose Jaime Enage (Marikina 2nd District/ independent)
• Carlo Vincent Lopez (Manila 2nd District/ Nacionalista Party)
• Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco (reelection/ Partido Navoteño)
• Johanna Maureen Nieto (Manila 3rd District/ Aksyon Demokratiko)
• Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan (Parañaque 2nd District/ independent)
• Bernard dela Cruz (Malabon/ PDP-Laban)
• Gerard Galang (Valenzuela 2nd District/ independent)