MANILA -- Lakas-Kampi deputy secretary general Reginald Velasco on Wednesday said it would be difficult for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign from her position if she runs for congressman in 2010.

The administration party, along with election lawyer Romulo Macalintal, in October filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to nullify Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 8678.

The resolution states that an appointed government official “shall be ipso facto (as a result) resigned upon their filing of COC (certificate of candidacy) on or before November 30, 2009 for the 2010 elections.”

“A lot of people will be put in a bind, especially the officials of the administration -- not only Cabinet members but the local officials...The President for example, her mandate until June 30 (2010), what will happen to that?" Velasco said.

This is amid talks that Arroyo will be running for a congressional seat in her hometown of Pampanga, as well as talks that Cabinet officials such as Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, and Health Secretary Francisco Duque will be running for public office.

The petitioners said the government officials seeking election should instead resign "only upon the start of the campaign period," which is on February 9, 2010. (Justine Paredes/Sunnex)