CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Second district Representative Mikey Arroyo lambasted Wednesday Governor Eddie Panlilio on an attempt "to break the Macapagal family."

This developed when Panlilio asks Mikey's aunt to run against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in the 2010 elections.

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Arroyo said Panlilio's actions are "deplorable," saying such "political maneuvers are unbecoming of a politician who promotes good governance."

"He [Panlilio] should stop breaking our family. Now, even though he is asking my Aunt Cielo to run, the Macapagal family would still remain strong," Arroyo said.

The congressman said the Macapagal family will just ignore such "political noise" created by Panlilio.

Macapagal-Salgado is the President's half sister and was identified by Panlilio as a possible candidate to field against Mrs. Arroyo if she decides to run for the second district congressional post currently held by her son, Mikey.

"Cielo has all the qualifications to run for public office," Panlilio told Sun.Star Pampanga in a recent interview.

The priest-turned-governor said they are still convincing Macapagal-Salgado to run in the 2010 race.

Former Bulacan Representative Willie Villarama, close friend and ally of the Arroyos, said Panlilio's tactic of asking Macapagal-Salgado to run "is a trade mark of traditional politicians."

"Why would he ask the President's sister to run against her? Clearly, for a person who has no family of his own, he would not understand the effects of political division among family members," Villarama said.

Sun.Star Pampanga tried to get Panlilio's side on the issue but calls were not returned as of press time Wednesday.