MALACAÑANG sees no ethical issues involved should Pampanga second district Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo seeks a congressional seat by representing a party-list group.
Deputy presidential spokesperson Charito Planas said Friday that it is up for the party-list group to decide on who will represent it and not the candidate.
“I don’t see any ethics involved there, because every party-list will examine who will be the qualified candidate to represent them,” she said.
The Palace official said they see nothing wrong should Mikey accept party-list invitation, following his decision to give way to his mother President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who is eyeing the post he now holds.
Mikey earlier denied that he will be seeking a congressional post in May 10 elections. He is in his second term and still has another term to run but he gave this last opportunity to President Arroyo who is stepping down on June.
But in Mikey’s recent interview, he hinted that there is still a possibility that he would go back to Congress by accepting an invitation from several party-lists asking for his nod as representative.
He said he will make final announcement before the deadline of submission of party-list group in March.
Kasangga, which represents small entrepreneurs, was reportedly considering Mikey as its top nominee.
“Kasangga was the one who chose their candidate, I cannot comment about their decision if that happens to be true. They organize their party-list so they are the ones who will decide on who will represent them,” Planas said.
Mikey, however, did not confirm this report, saying many party-lists are asking him to run.
Mikey will be the fifth Arroyo in the House of Representatives if ever they win in the elections.
Other three are Representative Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo in second district of Camarines Sur; Representative Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo in fifth district of Negros Occidental; and Kasangga Representative Maria Lourdes “Marilou” Tuason Arroyo-Lesaca.
Only President Arroyo’s daughter Evangelina Lourdes “Luli” Arroyo-Bernas and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo did not join politics. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)