PGMA formally files CoC as House Representative of Pampanga’s 2nd District

City of San Fernando, Pampanga (2 December) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday formally filed her certificate of candidacy (CoC) with the Commission of Elections (Comelec) provincial office in Barangay Poblacion as representative of Pampanga’s second district.

The President filed her CoC after hearing mass at the St. Augustine Church in Barangay San Nicolas 1 in her hometown Lubao.

The second district is comprised of the towns of Sasmuan, Porac, Floridablanca, Sta Rita, Guagua and Lubao.

Accompanied by First Gentleman First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, her son, incumbent second district Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, some Cabinet members and local officials, the Chief Executive submitted her CoC before the provincial poll office here at 10:35 a.m.

On Monday, the President heeded the overwhelming clamor of her Cabalens (province mates) as she formally announced her intention to run in the province’s second congressional district.

In her taped statement aired over government radio station dzRB, the President said “after much soul searching, I have decided to respond affirmatively to their call. To that end, I will file my candidacy for Congress in order to serve the hard working people of my home province.”

The Chief Executive said that after much contemplation, she realized that she is not ready to step down completely from public service.

“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,” President Arroyo said as she assured that she will be firmly in control of the national government until her last day in office. (PIA)