A week before the start of the campaign period for local candidates, the Supreme Court (SC) was asked Friday to reverse its decision allowing President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to run for Congress representing the second district of Pampanga.

Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros filed a motion for reconsideration on the High Court’s February 23 resolution dismissing her disqualification case against Mrs. Arroyo.

Hontiveros, guest senatorial candidate of the Liberal Party, said she received a copy of the assailed resolution only on March 4. Under the rules, she has 15 days to file a motion for reconsideration.

The motion was submitted exactly one week before the campaign period for candidates for members of the House of Representatives and elective provincial, city and municipal officials start on March 26.

On February 23, the SC unanimously declared that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) did not commit grave abuse of discretion in ruling that there was no constitutional provision barring the President from seeking a lower elective post.

Contrary to the SC’s decision, Hontiveros said the “Comelec acted with grave abuse of discretion in not finding that Arroyo is prohibited from running under Article VII, Section 4 of the Constitution.” Such provision provides that the President shall not be eligible for any re-election.