Aquino: What can Arroyo do as Speaker?

MANILA, Philippines — Former president Benigno Aquino III doubts if his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, can still do something significant as leader of the House of Representatives.

In an interview with reporters last Saturday night, Aquino said there are only a few months left before the end of the 17th Congress and since Arroyo is serving her last term, she is not allowed to run for reelection as representative of the 2nd District of Pampanga.

“Ano pa bang magagawa niya sa Kongreso sa natitirang period na ito? (What else can she do within this period)?” the former chief executive said on the sidelines of the conferment of Liberal International’s Prize of Freedom Award to detained Sen. Leila de Lima in Quezon City.

Citing his experience as a lawmaker, Aquino said members of the House are going to be preoccupied in their reelection bids in the midterm polls next year.

“Alam natin gaano kahirap ang mga session sa election year. (We know how difficult sessions are during an election year),” he said.

Asked to comment on Arroyo’s rise to power, Aquino said it is up to the people to say if they agree with the lawmakers who voted for her.

“Next year, may eleksyon. Bahala na yung mga constituents kausapin yung kanilang kinatawan (Next year, there’s going to be an election. Let constituents talk to their representatives),” he said. “Sila na magsasabi happy ba kami sa iyo o hindi (They will say whether they are happy with Arroyo or not),” he said.

Aquino also said talks about Arroyo becoming prime minister are speculative since it remains uncertain whether the change in Charter being pushed by the administration will materialize.