Manila - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Monday she would run for a seat in Congress in next year's elections to represent a district in her home province. "While I'm very much looking forward to stepping down at the end of my term, I have been mulling different ways to stay involved," she said in a statement.
"After much contemplation, I realized I am not ready to step down completely from public service," she added.
Arroyo, 62, said she decided to accept calls by officials and residents of the second district of Pampanga province, just north of Manila, for her to become their representative in the House of Representatives.
"To that end, I will file my candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hardworking people of my home province," she said. "This will give me a chance to continue to serve the public from a position that is closer to the people."
Arroyo's eldest son, Juan Miguel, is the incumbent House representative for the second district of Pampanga. Attorney Romulo Macalintal, the president's lawyer, said it was not yet known if her son would seek another elective position.
Macalintal said an authorized representative was scheduled to file Arroyo's certificate of candidacy in Pampanga on Tuesday.
Arroyo, a US-trained economist, is the first president of the Philippines to seek a lower position after serving as the country's top leader.
She has been president of the Philippines since 2001, when she took over her disgraced predecessor Joseph Estrada who was ousted in a military-backed mass uprising.
In 2004, she was re-elected as president under allegations of massive fraud. Her term expires on June 30.
Arroyo, who has visited her home province at least 50 times so far this year, vowed she would continue to be in control of the national government even while she campaigns.
"Let me be clear, I will be firmly in control of our national government until the last day I am in office," she said. "As president, my first commitment is to the nation we all love."
"My bid for Congress will be spirited but secondary to my duties as president," she added.
Arroyo also promised to help ensure that the May elections would be free, fair and open and to cooperate with the new administration.
More than 18,000 national and local posts are up for grabs in next year's polls, including president, vice president, senators and House representatives.
