Rep. Gloria Arroyo douses reports on plotting coup vs. Romualdez

Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sought to put an end to rumors she was plotting moves to oust Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Arroyo issued a lengthy statement late Thursday after the House of Representatives voted to replace her on Wednesday with Pampanga Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales, Jr. as Senior Deputy Speaker.

In a brief reply right after her replacement, Arroyo said the move was "the prerogative of the House."

"When I learned that there were reports that I was suspected of plotting a 'coup' against Speaker Romualdez, I decided I must speak out to clarify my political position," she said in her latest statement.

"Indeed, some of my actions may have been misconstrued, such as my recent trip with a delegation of Congressmen to Korea for some official meetings," she added.

Arroyo said the "political objectives" are only to represent her district, support the legislative agenda of the Speaker and the President, and to use her experience as a former chief executive to help out when called upon to do so.
 
"Outside of my role as Congresswoman, my public interest going forward is to help reduce tensions between the United States and China, given that I was strongly allied to both countries when I was President," she said.
 
"So it should be noted that being Speaker once more is no longer part of my political objectives. This has been my position ever since Speaker Romualdez was elected in the 19th Congress, and I continue to urge my Lakas-CMD partymates to support our party President in that role," Arroyo said.

The former president said as a "mere congresswoman" this time, "issues of national importance no longer depend on my role in Congress."

"Thus, I have no compelling reasons to change my mind about foregoing my ambitions for the Speakership," she said.

"By this disavowal, I hope that we can preempt any needless politicking so that the House and our President can focus on the job at hand with minimum distraction," Arroyo added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News