An administration lawmaker Thursday expressed serious doubts over claims by some quarters that President Arroyo could be girding for a political comeback as prime minister with her decision to run for Congress next year.

Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas dismissed such claims as “overly speculative,” saying Mrs. Arroyo might just want to keep herself busy after her presidency.

Besides, Gullas said, one can become prime minister only if the Constitution is amended and a unicameral legislature is installed through a shift to a parliamentary form of government. This, he said, is unlikely to happen under the next administration.

“Once the people elect a new president next year, there will be a totally new order. Everyone will revolve around the new president. Mrs. Arroyo will just be one of the many members of the House of Representatives. Her vote will just be as good as mine," said Gullas.

Gullas said he believes that one of the reasons why Mrs. Arroyo decided to run for Congress representing the second district of Pampanga is because she was anxious that she would suddenly have little activity after leaving Malacañang.

“She wants to stay fully engaged, by serving as a member of the next Congress,” Gullas said.

He added, “I’ve seen many politicians quickly grow old once they leave office, some even become ill, because for years they’ve been working hard on a daily basis with hectic schedules.