MANILA Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced on Tuesday she had chosen Senator Teofisto Guingona to be the country's vice president.

Guingona, 72, is a lawyer and a former executive secretary and justice secretary.

Arroyo said she had chosen a candidate from the southern region of Mindanao since the region "has not exactly occupied the top rung in our totem pole of priorities."

"We've forgotten the promise that is Mindanao," Arroyo said in a national broadcast. "It is time to fulfill that promise... build a bridge to an economically vibrant Mindanao from one wracked by conflict."

Guingona grew up in the Cagayan area of Mindanao.

Arroyo was promoted from the vice presidency last month following the ouster of Joseph Estrada. Since the vice presidency was vacant, she had the right to choose a candidate from either of the two houses of congress.

(Reuter)