An administration lawmaker on Saturday painted a grim scenario should President Arroyo heed calls for her to resign when she decides to run for Congress next year.

Lakas-Kampi-CMD Rep. Marcelino Teodoro of Marikina City warned that a resignation by Mrs. Arroyo could lead to political and constitutional vacuum, social chaos, and public unrest.

Teodoro also pointed out that Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution No. 8678, which is being questioned before the Supreme Court (SC), applies not only to Mrs. Arroyo but to “all elected officials running in 2010.”

The resolution allows public officials like Mrs. Arroyo to run in any other elective positions, except the presidency in her case, without resigning her office.

“It would pose greater harm for the country if the said resolution be repealed as it will require all elected officials to resign from their posts which may cause social unrest,” Teodoro said. “Definitely there will be a vacuum if this happens.”

“Let us look at the uncertainty that the country will face if all elected officials resign, chaos and non-delivery of social services will ensue and not the politically motivated underpinnings that the petitioners are building on,” he added.