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Arroyo to seek re-election

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE OCT. 6 The Philippines' President, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, has announced her candidature for the country's next presidential election, scheduled for May 2004.

She will be contesting for the highest executive position for the first time.

As Vice-President under the presidency of Joseph Estrada, Ms. Arroyo succeeded him, without having to face the electoratein January 2001, in the context of a major agitation against his rule.

Her ascension to power at that time was hailed by her supporters, including those at the top echelons of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as "People Power Mark II" — an allusion to the original "people power" movement that ended the Marcos dictatorship and ushered in the present phase of democracy in the Philippines.

Ms. Arroyo's latest political move has come at a time of considerable uncertainties on the Filipino scene.

The recent attempt by some military officers to stage a coup against her administration and her continuing efforts to reorganise the `system' in that context will define the context for her presidential bid, according to political leaders and analysts in the Philippines.

She said there were compelling reasons for her latest decision to reverse her earlier plans for a political retirement.

The need for economic and political reforms and for reconciliation to heal the deep divisions within the society had induced her to opt for a fresh start and her candidature, she indicated in a speech in Manila on Saturday.

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