4th Arroyo in the House once new party-list solons are in

MANILA, Philippines - There will be four Arroyos in the House of Representatives when the 32 new party-list lawmakers are installed in the chamber as ordered by the Supreme Court. Ma. Lourdes T. Arroyo, younger sister of First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, will join three other relatives of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in the House as the representative of party-list Kasangga, which represents small entrepreneurs. The First Gentleman's brother Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo represents the fifth district of Negros Occidental. Presidential sons Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo and Diosdado "Dato" Arroyo represent the second district of Pampanga and the first district of Camarines Sur, respectively. "I am very happy for the members of Kasangga because we worked very hard for this," said Ms. Arroyo, who was among the 14 party-list nominees met by Speaker Prospero Nograles on Thursday. Ms. Arroyo said she would consult with her constituents on what legislative measures she would introduce once she takes her post at the House. "What is important is not what I want but what is good for small entrepreneurs, for the members of Kasangga. I will consult with them, I will study all the resolutions that they have passed," she said. When asked by reporters on how she felt being the fourth Arroyo in the House, Ms. Arroyo said: "I am a representative of Kasangga," before hastily distancing herself from the media. Political dynasty Deputy minority leader and Akbayan party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel said the entry of another relative of the President only shows that the Arroyos are indeed a political dynasty. "That's another example of how the Arroyos in Malacañang have invaded the party-list system which is supposed to be reserved for the marginalized and underrepresented sectors," said Hontiveros. Rep. Liza Maza of Gabriela party-list said there would be a violation of the party-list law if it would be found out that Ms. Arroyo is not from the marginalized sector. "The House of Representatives is turning to be a wacky house of horror with the 'butcher' coming in with the 'kasangga'," said Maza, referring to retired Army general Jovito Palparan who may also enter the House as representative of Bantay party-list. Deputy minority leader and Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Satur Ocampo said his group would check whether Ms. Arroyo belongs to the marginalized sector that Kasangga represents. "If it isn't marginalized, we can question Kasangga and its nominee," he said. Not congressmen yet Nograles said the oath-taking of the new part-list representatives would not take place until the Commission on Elections (Comelec) proclaims them as winners. "This is just a formal get-to-know-you-better until your names are finally enrolled in the roster of the House of Representatives," said Nograles. Aside from Ms. Arroyo, those present in the meeting were:

• Teodoro Lim of Uni-Mad (United Movement Against Drugs)
• Domingo Espina of Cocofed (Coconut Federation)
• Ranulfo Canonigo of Kakusa (Kapatiran ng Nakakulong na Walang Sala)
• Pastor Alcover Jr. of Anad (Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy)
• Catalina Pizarro of Abs (Arts, Business, and Sciences)
• Lorenzo Cadsawan of FPJPM (Filipino for Peace, Justice, and Progress Movement)
• Leonardo Montemayor of Aba-Ako
• Roger Federezo of FPJPM (Filipino for Peace, Justice, and Progress Movement)
• Salvador Britanico of Banat
• Godofredo Arquiza of Senior Citizens
• Daryl Grace Abayon of Angat Todo
• Jonathan Dela Cruz of Abacada
• Roy Ribo of ARC

- GMANews.TV