MANILA, Philippines – Despite the certainty of her victory over possible rivals, President Arroyo’s congressional bid next year may be heading for a legal maelstrom, according to her senator-allies.

The senators said that while there is no legal impediment to Mrs. Arroyo’s running for a House seat and keeping her job as President at the same time, the Supreme Court may still have to decide on whether the ban on re-election covers lower elective posts.

“These are the legal conundrums that are cropping up. I think that it is precisely because of these possibilities that the Constitution said that the president is not qualified to run for any re-election – meaning, any election or any elective office after service of the term of president,” Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile said.

“And although these are mere opinions being dished out, and there are contrary opinions, what I am pointing out is, it is good that this matter will be brought to the Supreme Court for final resolution. After all, the only one that can decide this is the Supreme Court,” Enrile said during a forum at the Senate with the Commission on Elections.

Comelec legal counsel Ferdinand Rafanan agreed and said this would be decided upon only after a complaint has been filed against the President.

Enrile, together with senators Miriam Santiago and Joker Arroyo, however, stressed that Mrs. Arroyo may serve until June of 2010, the end of her term, despite her being a candidate for congresswoman.

“I don’t think we should deprive the country of a President. There are successors but it’s only six months. Just let her be. Let the Supreme Court decide the issue – the position of the President wishing to run for Congress,” Enrile said.

Full Story: PhilStar/Yahoo PH