Yes, No—Okay, I'll Run

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Hours after Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo flew back to Manila from official visits to the U.S., France and Italy last week, she gathered aides and younger brother Diosdado at her family's home in a swanky suburb, to deliver a shocker. Arroyo declared that her decision last December not to run in the presidential election next May was a mistake. "I got out of the race, but what did I get?" she said. "I've decided to accept whatever God has intended for me, including the presidency."

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Arroyo's vow to eschew campaigning in order to govern better clearly backfired. Restive members of the military led a mini-coup attempt against her in July, and husband Miguel was embroiled in a financial scandal. She announced her latest decision at a Saturday rally, saying: "I will offer myself as the leader with the experience and vision." Surveys suggest that might be a triumph of hope over experience. A public opinion poll for the ABS-CBN network shows Arroyo has the support of only 16%, behind two other potential candidates. But Arroyo is banking on further acts of divine intervention.