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Critics of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday lambasted her decision to run as congresswoman for Pampanga’s second district in next year’s election, saying that an incumbent president running for Congress is “fraught with dangers."

Former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla, spokesperson of the Nacionalista Party, warned that “for a sitting president like GMA to become a member of Congress is fraught with danger."

In an interview over radio dzBB, Remulla said that with Mrs. Arroyo's power and resources, she can easily form a "power bloc" in Congress that could intimidate the new president that would be elected in 2010.

United Opposition (UNO) standard-bearer and former President Joseph Estrada also said Monday that Mrs. Arroyo should step down after filing her certificate of candidacy to prevent her from using government resources “like what she did in 2004" to ensure her victory against his closest friend, Fernando Poe Jr.

Muntinlupa Rep. Rufino “Ruffy" Biazon echoed the same view, and also called on Mrs. Arroyo to relinquish her post to avoid conflict of interests. Being the country's chief executive, Mrs. Arroyo is also the commander in chief of the Armed Forces, Biazon said.

For his part, Senator Francis “Kiko" Pangilinan said he was not surprised by the President’s move, adding that Mrs. Arroyo remains “motivated by political survival at all costs."

Mrs. Arroyo wants a “soft landing" when her term expires to protect her back from the threat of criminal prosecution, Pangilinan said. He doubted however if the president could “escape the judgment of history" and “hide from the scandals and controversies that hounded her years in office."

'She needs professional help'

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño put it bluntly, saying he has never seen a “leader so obsessed with power."

“She is drunk with power. I think she needs professional help," Casiño said in a text message to reporters.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said, given her legacy that is tainted with “corruption and impunity," the President is no longer "morally" qualified to hold any public office.

"This is a dark day for the Philippines. Her running for Congress is a slap on the face of the many victims of her administration. Her running for Congress is proof that she wants to somehow prolong her reign of terror," Reyes said.

Earlier, Mrs. Arroyo finally ended speculations on her political plans after she confirmed during a radio interview that she would seek a congressional seat in Pampanga’s second district where her hometown Lubao is located. [See: Arroyo announces bid for Congress seat in Pampanga]

Mrs. Arroyo said she is not yet ready to step down from public office and her decision was borne out of her desire to continue serving her constituents.

Lawyer Romeo Macalintal, Mrs. Arroyo's newly appointed political spokesperson, added that there were no legal impediments that would hamper her candidacy.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not violating any law in her congressional bid for Pampanga's second district, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said Arroyo’s “advantage" in running for a local post while still in Malacañang does not make her candidacy illegal.

“There is no legal impediment to the President’s seeking elective office other than the presidency once again," Jimenez told reporters.

“Being in an advantaged position doesn’t make her candidacy illegitimate. She has an advantage, so what?" he added.

Amid criticisms, President Arroyo announced her candidacy Monday through a taped message aired on Radio dzRB. She is expected to file her certificate of candidacy at the Comelec office in San Fernando, Pampanga, Tuesday morning.

Administration critics said President Arroyo would just use the House of Representatives as a stepping stone to becoming prime minister once her allies in Congress succeed in amending the 1987 Constitution to change the form of government to parliamentary.

Jimenez said unlike her Cabinet officials, President Arroyo does not need to resign from her post after filing her COC. “The law is very clear. An elected official, once he files a COC, can return to his position."

He, however, refused to comment on whether or not President Arroyo's congressional bid is ethical.

“Whether it’s ethical or not, that’s a decision the Comelec would not make," Jimenez said.

Those who have qualms over President Arroyo's candidacy could file disqualification cases against her, Jimenez added.

Zaldy Ampatuan, a member of the powerful Ampatuan clan now in hot water over their alleged involvement in last week's grisly massacre of at least 57 people, has cried foul over their expulsion from the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

“Nang malaman ko na inalis nila ako sa partido, unang-una nabigla ako at nasaktan. Bakit ganon? Ano ba nagawa ko? Ano bang mali ko? May nilabag ba akong sistema o batas ng aming partido? " Ampatuan, governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), told GMA News' reporter Jiggy Manicad in a one-on-one interview.

(I was surprised and hurt when I learned that they kicked me out of the party. I said, what did I do? Did I violate any of the party's rules?)

The interview was aired over "24 Oras."

Ampatuan - along with his father, Maguindanao governor Andal Ampatuan Sr., and brother, Andal Jr. - were voted out of Lakas-Kampi-CMD last week through the initiatives of the party's standard bearer, Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

Party members voted unanimously against the Ampatuans last Wednesday for their alleged failure “to uphold party ideals and principles in their area of jurisdiction, specifically relating to the peaceful, legal, and democratic pursuit and exercise of political power."

The decision of Lakas-Kampi-CMD came two days after 57 people - members of the rival Mangudadatu clan along with several lawyers and journalists - were waylaid by armed men allegedly upon orders from Andal Jr., who is now detained in Manila to face the multiple charges that will be filed against him.

The Ampatuans are known allies of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in Mindanao.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD members likewise stripped Ampatuan and his father of their duties and responsibilities as the party's regional and provincial chairmen, respectively. Malacañang also suspended Ampatuan as ARMM governor.

Ampatuan said the suspension was unfair. “Ganun na lang ba kadali magpalabas ng isang suspension sa isang public official na walang ginawang masama? Ganito na ba ang ating hustisya? Alam ko ang aking karapatan. Ang kailangan dito magkaroon ng imbestigasyon at makuha ang aking panig," he said.

(Is that how easy it is to suspend a public official in this country without hearing his side on the issue? Is that how justice works here?)

Ampatuan, who said he was in Manila when the massacre happened, chided Teodoro and other party members for arriving at a decision without hearing first his family's side on the issue.

Asked if the administration’s move was intended to weaken their family’s clout, Ampatuan nodded and said: “Palagay ko. Hindi ko alam kung anong dahilan (I guess, but I don't know the reason why.)."

He appealed to the government to give their family a chance to explain their side before imposing sanctions on them. He also assured his family's cooperation with the ongoing investigation on the massacre, which was condemned by the international community including the United Nations and the European Union.

Former President Joseph “Erap" Estrada filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) on Monday, fully confident he would not be banned from seeking another shot at the presidency in next year's polls.

Clad in his signature orange jacket, Estrada formalized his presidential bid together with running mate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay and the senatorial slate of the United Opposition who also filed their respective COCs at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) national headquarters in Intramuros, Manila.

Interviewed by reporters, Estrada asserted that only incumbent presidents and those who have served a full six-year term should be prevented from running for president again.

Former President Joseph “Erap" Estrada and running mate Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay show their COCs to media at the Comelec. - Kim Tan
"Two and a half years lang akong (umupo) kaya pwedeng pwede tayong tumakbo para tapusin ang aking termino at saka isa pa di ako incumbent (I served for only two and a half years that’s why I can still run to finish my term, and I am also not an incumbent)," he said after filing his COC.

Estrada then referred to Article VII, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution which states that “the President shall not be eligible for any re-election. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time."

“Kaya pinbagbabawal sa (An) incumbent (is prohibited) to run for reelection kasi (because) she or he has undue advantage over his opponents because he has all government resources," he said.

Also filing their COCs were Binay and the UNO's senatorial candidates: Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, Senate Pro-Tempore Jose "Jinggoy" Estrada, lawyer Jayvee Bautista of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, Agusan del Sur Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong" Plaza, Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Apolinario “Jun" Lozada, and businessman and NBN-ZTE scandal whistleblower Jose de Venecia III.

Included as UNO's guest senatorial candidates are Miriam Defensor Santiago and Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., who are both seeking reelection in the 2010 polls. Estrada had earlier expressed willingness to also adopt former senator Sergio Osmeña III as guest senatorial candidate.

Forced to vacate Malacañang in January 2001, Estrada was arrested, tried and later convicted of plunder in September 2007. He was later granted pardon by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

There were 30 and not just 27 reporters and media workers who were killed in a manner brutal beyond description in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, last Monday, November 23.

However, another journalist, Jolito Evardo of UNTV General Santos City, has not been accounted for as of press time.

The 30 media workers comprise more than half of the 57 confirmed casualties of what is now known as the Maguindanao or Ampatuan Massacre, according to a list compiled and verified by the Humanitarian and Fact-Finding Mission of the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ), a network of independent media organizations, including the PCIJ.

Formed in 2001, the FFFJ provides financial assistance to the families of slain journalists, as well as legal support in the prosecution of their cases. Its founding members are the PCIJ, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Center for Community Journalism and Development, Philippine Press Institute, Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, and Philippine News.

The FFFJ Mission was conducted in partnership with the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), Mindanews, and the Free Legal Assistance Group and its affiliate Union of People’s Lawyers for Mindanao, which lost two female members in the Maguindanao massacre.

The FFFJ Mission arrived in Mindanao two days after the massacre to extend financial assistance to the victims, witnesses and their families, as well as to conduct an independent inquiry and documentation of the massacre. The FFFJ report will be released this week.

Dr. Raquel Fortun was named expert consultant of the Commission on Human Rights, in partnership with the FFFJ, to assist in Maguindanao. As verified by the FFFJ mission, what follows is a complete list of the 30 Media Martyrs of Maguindanao:

1. Adolfo, Benjie, Gold Star Daily, Koronadal City

2. Araneta, Henry, Radio DZRH, General Santos City

3. Arriola, Mark Gilbert “Mac-Mac," UNTV, General Santos City

4. Bataluna, Rubello, Gold Star Daily, Koronadal City

5. Betia, Arturo, Periodico Ini, General Santos City

6. Cabillo, Romeo Jimmy, Midland Review, Tacurong City

7. Cablitas, Marites, News Focus, General Santos City

8. Cachuela, Hannibal, Punto News, Koronadal City

9. Caniban, John, Periodico Ini, General Santos City

10. Dalmacio, Lea, Socsargen News, General Santos City

11. Decina, Noel, Periodico Ini, General Santos City

12. Dela Cruz, Gina, Saksi News, General Santos City

13. Dohillo, Eugene, UNTV, General Santos City

14. Duhay, Jhoy, Gold Star Daily, Tacurong City

15. Gatchalian, Santos, DXGO, Davao City

16. Legarte, Bienvenido, Jr., Prontiera News, Koronadal City

17. Lupogan, Lindo, Mindanao Daily Gazette, Davao City

18. Maravilla, Ernesto “Bart," Bombo Radyo, Koronadal City

19. Merisco, Rey, Periodico Ini, Koronadal City

20. Momay, Reynaldo “Bebot" Momay, Midland Review, Tacurong City

21. Montaño, Marife “Neneng," Saksi News, General Santos City

22. Morales, Rosell, News Focus, General Santos City

23. Nuñez, Victor, UNTV, General Santos City

24. Perante, Ronnie, Gold Star Daily correspondent, Koronadal City

25. Parcon, Joel, Prontiera News, Koronadal City

26. Razon, Fernando “Rani," Periodico Ini, General Santos City

27. Reblando, Alejandro “Bong," Manila Bulletin, General Santos City

28. Salaysay, Napoleon, Mindanao Gazette, Cotabato City

29. Subang, Ian, Socsargen Today, General Santos City

30. Teodoro, Andres “Andy," Central Mindanao Inquirer, Tacurong City

Still unaccounted for: Evardo, Jolito, UNTV General Santos City

The 30 media workers killed in Ampatuan, Maguindanao bring to 134 the number of journalists killed in the Philippines since 1986.

Of the total, 74 cases or more than half, were recorded from 2001, or under the watch of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Retired Army Major Jovito Palparan Jr. of Bantay party-list group on Monday said he is seeking a senatorial seat in next year’s elections to continue his battle against left-leaning candidates and government officials.

“I’d like to give opposition to a number of candidates who are identified with the Communist Party of the Philippines. I will campaign against left-leaning parties," Palparan said after filing his certificate of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) main office in Manila.
Bantay Party-list Representative Jovito Palparan says he will oppose all left-leaning candidates running in 2010.- Kim Tan
Palparan was referring to militant lawmakers Satur Ocampo of Bayan Muna and Liza Maza of the Gabriela Women’s Party, who are both running for senator in next year’s polls.

“Hopefully in the Senate someone will oppose these people who are actually not doing it for the love of the country but more of following their ideology," he said.

Leftist organizations have accused Palparan of committing human rights violations during his stint in the military. Palparan has repeatedly denied the allegations and branded them as black propaganda perpetrated by groups allied with the communist movement.

Palparan, who is running as an independent, said he is not closing his doors in joining major political parties. “I would love to be adopted by some major parties," he said.

Pending offers from big political organizations, Palparan said he would just rely on his party-list group, Bantay, an organization that focuses on anti-communism work and supports the military by following up on their clearing operations.

Bantay ranked 32nd in the Supreme Court's list of party-list groups entitled to have seats in the House