MANILA: Philippine President Gloria Arroyo announced Monday she would seek to remain in politics after her term ends next year by running for a seat in parliament.

"I will file my candidacy for congress in order to serve the hardworking people of my province," Arroyo, 62, said on government radio DZRB.

"I hope to be a champion for the poor and to work to uplift the economy.... I will work for this from a position closer to the people."

Arroyo will seek a lower house seat representing her home province of Pampanga.

Critics allege Arroyo, who is mandated by the constitution to step down as president next year, wants to enter parliament to retain immunity against potential corruption charges that could otherwise be filed against her.

They say it also may allow Arroyo and her allies to change the constitution so she could continue ruling the country as prime minister under a Westminster system of government, rather than the current US-style presidential model.

But, in the radio interview, Arroyo dismissed both accusations.

"Congressional immunity is only from libel suits for utterances made in Congressional sessions. That is not what I am after. This will reflect my own level of commitment to public service," she said on the graft issue.

When asked about changing the constitution, Arroyo said: "That situation is so hypothetical I won't even bother to speculate about it."