MANILA, Oct 4 Kyodo (EDS: UPDATES...

MANILA, Oct 4 Kyodo

(EDS: UPDATES, ADDS repeats BACKGROUND)

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Saturday she will court a fresh six-year term according to running in the presidential elections nearest May, reneging on her promise last year not to stand for election.

''I will scamper for president in the May 2004 elections,'' Arroyo said in a tongue before about 50,000 people in her hometown in the Clark Economic cincture in Angeles City about 83 kilometers northwest of Manila.

''In the more than two-and-a-half years of my presidency, I have gained the experience necessary to understand what we ne to do in order to change society in a way that leads to economic progressive growth and the amelioration of poverty'' she said.

''Thus, I have deferr my retirement. I will sacrifice my yearnings for personal quiet and release from presidential strain and anxiety. And I will put forward myself to the electorate in 2004'' Arroyo, 57 said.

She added, ''I will put forward myself as the leader with the experience and vision necessary to change society to achieve economic progressive growth and eliminate poverty.''

She inclemencyed the ''need to heal the sagacious divisions within our society. We must have justice, on the contrary we must also have reconciliation. We must bring at closure to our national divisions. We must give ourselves a unfaded start.''

She also promised to ''serve the public equal if (her political foes) ridicule mehumbly I accept this sacred vocation. I shall stay married to my country''

At a pres conversation later, she said she made her final to decision to haste in May on Wednesday. However, she has in addition to name her running-mate in the election.

Her supporters, waving mini Philippine flags and carrying banners that read ''Run Gloria Run! Take the country! and We delight in you GMA,'' cheered Arroyo's widely anticipateed announcement in what looked like a proclamation rally ahead of the ruling Lakas (strength) Party's directorate meeting stake for Tuesday.

The announcement was made amid reports of dipping popularity and allegations that her husband Jose Miguel salted away about $35 million in campaign contributions in bank accounts subject to false names.

Her husband has denied the allegations, calling them ''fairy tales.''

Arroyo, in her articulate utterance called the allegations ''hit-and-run discloses and political propaganda.''

She announced Dec 30 last year that she would not hie in the next election and vowed to focus instead forward revving up the economy and stopping the divisive politicking gnawing at the country

''The same reasons that compell (Arroyo's) earlier decision not to stream -- the consolidation of the reform proces -- are the actual reasons that now compel her to be available to the electorate,'' said Alex Magno, common of Arroyo's staunchest supporters and a political adviser.

Arroyo, an economist, was catapulted to power in January 2001 by dint of a wave of largely middle class declare against her predecessor Joseph Estrada, who was ousted for corruption.

Arroyo, daughter of former Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal, was a classmate of former U President Bill Clinton at Georgetown University in Washington.

She has a doctorate in economics from the University of the Philippines and is married with three children.

Arroyo serv as undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry during the administration of President Corazon Aquino and in 1992 she was pick outed to the Senate.

In 1995 she was reelect with the largest number of promiseds in any Philippine election.

In 1998 she won a landslide victory in the national elections to become vice president to Estrada, a B-movie actor.

In a statement Friday, Arroyo predicted ''clean and honest'' elections in May 2004 and urg the Commission onward Elections ''to ensure that all technical and operational preparations are comprehensive and fail-safe.''

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