MANILA, Philippines—President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo isn't quitting the ruling party, but is merely turning over her chairmanship to administration standard-bearer Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.

"Lakas Kampi will remain PGMA's party. She has been the moving spirit behind the merger of Lakas CMD and Kampi,'' party secretary general Gabriel Claudio said in a text message.

Arroyo is handing over the party chairmanship to Teodoro at the party convention on Nov. 19 "in keeping with party tradition,'' according to him.

"She will maintain her presence and influence over the Lakas Kampi members, particularly in exhorting and inspiring them to work hard for the victory of Secretary Gibo in his bid for the presidency,'' he said.

Political analyst Ramon Casiple said there’s more to the turnover, pointing out that the party chairmanship is usually given to the highest elected official in its ranks.

"She's starting to prepare herself to run for Congress. She doesn't need the position. She was probably requested to give it up because she's dragging down Gibo,'' he said by phone.

Arroyo has been making nearly weekly visits to Lubao and other parts of the second district of her home province Pampanga, fueling speculation she would seek a seat in Congress in May 2010.

Arroyo chaired Lakas CMD beginning 2002, according to Casiple, and kept the position when this merged with Kampi in late May this year.

Despite its much-vaunted machinery and war chest, the ruling party has failed to coax popular personalities to become Teodoro's running mate, a failure that observers blame on low public regard for the scandal-plagued administration.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde confirmed that Arroyo was merely "passing the torch'' to Teodoro.

"I have to confirm that's the plan of the President to pass the torch to Secretary Teodoro. Secondly, it has become a tradition in Lakas that whoever will be the standard-bearer more or less becomes the head of the party,'' he said.