Dato running under Kampi, Mikey with Lakas

LIBMANAN, Camarines Sur – Brothers Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel "Mikey" and Diosdado Ignacio "Dato" Arroyo are set to join the May 14 congressional race under two different political parties headed by their mother, President Arroyo.

But this early, Dato said he and elder brother Mikey will have the moral support of their mother. Dato plans to run for congressman in Naga, the first district of this province.

"The only support I would get from my mother is just the same as what she gives her candidates under Team Unity or to members of her political party – moral support," Dato said. "She will give me a lot of her moral support."

Dato, 32, is a member of President Arroyo’s Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi), while Mikey is the regional chairman of the Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) headed by Speaker Jose de Venecia and the ruling coalition of which his mother is recognized as party chieftain.

De Venecia signed the Certificate of Official Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) of Mikey as the party’s official candidate in Lubao, Pampanga.

"I"m using a Lakas CONA and I’m fortunate that KAMPI has decided to adopt me," Mikey said in a text message to The STAR.

Mikey, who is seeking his second term as congressman as an unopposed candidate, will file his CONA tomorrow in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional office in Pampanga.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary and Kampi chairman Ronaldo Puno told The STAR that their party will field Dato in the former congressional district vacated by former Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., who is now Budget and Management secretary.

Puno said Dato is also running unopposed in Naga and will be supported by Kampi party leaders in the province led by re-electionist Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, who is also KAMPI president.

The youngest of the Arroyo brood assured Manila-based reporters covering the campaign sortie here that, once the campaign period begins and he joins the congressional race, he will not seek special treatment or misuse any government machinery that may be available to him.

He denied allegations Malacañang, through his mother, was utilizing the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in his candidacy: "It’s not true, I am treating my fellow Bicolanos here as brothers, they are a brothers to me."

Despite being perceived as having an advantage because he is the President’s son, Dato said elections in his district will be clean, honest and fair. He said the residents of his town know him as a "low-profile person" who does his best to help people in need.

"If ever I decide to push through with my campaign, my security will not be a problem," he added. "They will still be able to approach me and I will remain the same person with them then as I am now. Even if I am a member of the First Family and there are PSG members (working as my security detail), their numbers are very minimal."

"It would not be difficult for me to reach people or to be approached by them," he added. "I am easy to approach." Dato begged off from answering any more questions, however, asking reporters to interview the Team Unity candidates instead.

Dato said his being a Bicolano is not new because he studied at the Ateneo de Naga University in Naga City: "I am not new to this province. I have lived here before, in 1995, so I know how to speak Bicolano. However, he admitted that he only assumed residence in Libmanan town in 2005.

He also said he was also open to joining the show business industry, as did Mikey: "It should have been earlier, when I was still the boy- next-door. Now it’s a bit less likely, but I still wish to get into show business. Maybe I’ll do work as an extra in my brother’s movies."