Arroyo: I’m retiring. No plan to run for anything in 2019

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo INQUIRER PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday said that she is not planning to seek any government seat in the 2019 midterm elections.

The former president stressed that nothing can stop her from retiring next year.

“I am retiring… I don’t plan to run for anything in 2019,” Arroyo, who is on her last term as representative of Pampanga, said in an interview on CNN Philippines’ The Source.

Arroyo also dismissed speculations that she aims to become prime minister once the proposed shift to a federal form of government pushes through.

She claimed that the position of prime minister was not provided in the draft of the federal charter prepared by the Consultative Committee which is tasked to review the 1987 Constitution.

“Let me tell you, it’s not in the draft that’s submitted by the administration. So, therefore, I have no plans to become prime minister,” she said.

The 71-year-old lawmaker added that she was impressed by some of the young congressmen she’s currently working with.

“I’m confident when they take over the reins of government, they will do a good job. It’s really time for us to retire,” Arroyo said.

“I’m looking forward to my retirement, I look forward to writing my memoirs,” she added.