Palace defends entry of GMA's sister-in-law as party-list lawmaker

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang defended yesterday the entry of the sister-in-law of President Arroyo as a party-list representative.

Acting Executive Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President has nothing to do with their getting seats in the House and the Palace respects the decision of the Supreme Court on the entry of more party-list groups to Congress.

Remonde brushed aside criticisms against the President over the entry of her sister-in-law Ma. Lourdes Arroyo as the representative of party-list Kasangga.

Critics of the President have denounced the entry of Ms. Arroyo to Congress, claiming there would be “too many Arroyos in power.”

Apart from Arroyo, the President has three other relatives in Congress — her two sons Juan Miguel (Pampanga) and Diosdado (Camarines Sur) and brother-in-law Ignacio Arroyo (Negros Occidental).

Remonde noted that there are several other members of Congress related by blood and the critics of the President should not single out the Arroyos.

“In the Senate, there are even siblings but there is nothing we can do about that. It is part of the democratic process. These people have been elected. The party-lists were elected by the people and it just so happens Ms. Arroyo was the nominee to that seat,” Remonde said. – Marvin Sy