GMA endorses son on his birthday

LUBAO, Pampanga — From his wife he got a pair of leather slippers, and from his parents, a brief visit and an endorsement.

Presidential son and Pampanga Vice Gov. Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo celebrated his 35th birthday here yesterday with his mom, President Arroyo, wishing him a seat in the House of Representatives.

The President and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo arrived at their son’s home at St. Dominic’s Subdivision in San Roque Arbol at 1 p.m. and stayed for half an hour partaking a lunch of "fish, noodles and some beef."

Mikey told The STAR that, as far as his busy parents were concerned, their presence was birthday gift enough for him.

But the President wasn’t beyond giving her son the gift of an endorsement, as she appealed to her "cabalen" (provincemates) to vote for Mikey in the coming elections. She said she wished her son remains a "good leader" to be "loved more by his constituents."

Challenging the younger Arroyo for the congressional seat of the second district of Pampanga is Rey Lapid, younger brother of Pampanga Gov. Lito Lapid, who is running for senator under Mrs. Arroyo’s K-4 coalition.

From his wife, Angela, Mikey got a more tangible gift, a "beautiful, pair of leather slippers."

"She knows how fond I am of slippers," he said.

Mikey was a bit more philosophical when it came to sister Luli and younger brother Dato, who as of noon yesterday still hadn’t sent in their tokens of endearment.

"We no longer have time to send gifts to each other because we are all too busy in the campaign," he said.

Mikey woke up early yesterday to inaugurate a new water system in Porac and to attend a party thrown by residents of the Tokwing resettlement for Mt. Pinatubo eruption victims, also in Porac, where he distributed goodies to children of poor families.

He also met with leaders of Aeta tribes, who received deep well pumps from him.

He said his birthday wish was for "a peaceful, orderly and honest elections from the presidential level down to the level of town councilors." – With Marichu Villanueva