Jamby not a nuisance candidate in 2010 - Mikey

MANILA, Philippines - If he were the Commission on Elections, Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo would not categorize Sen. Jamby Madrigal as among the “nuisance candidates” in the May 2010 presidential elections, unlike the other so-called opposition candidates.

According to the eldest son of President Arroyo, the credentials of the female senator far outweigh than those of the other candidates, whom he considers as double agents – or those who pretend to be vocal critics of his mother but are courting her support at the same time.

“She does not double talk like other presidentiables. She is more sincere than other presidentiables within the ranks of the opposition. I don’t see any legal impediments that would prevent her from running,” the young Arroyo stressed.

“What you see is what you get. I have known her personally. She’s a family friend.”

Arroyo earlier took potshots at some young presidential aspirants.

Sen. Francis Escudero felt alluded to and immediately denied he was seeking favors from Mrs. Arroyo, who stood as sponsor in his wedding in 2000.

“There are presidential candidates in the opposition who are hitting the President and yet they were back-channeling through our allies,” the presidential son told Congress reporters, refusing to name names.

“Kung sino ang pumutak, siya na iyun,” the young Arroyo said, vaguely.

But the camp of Sen. Manny Villar, whom Madrigal accused of conflict of interest over the C-5 controversy, regarded the declaration of the female senator as a welcome development, albeit sarcastically.

“The Nacionalista Party welcomes the entry of Senator Madrigal into the presidential derby. She will continue the tradition of independent presidential aspirants who dream of becoming president,” said NP spokesman, former Cavite Rep. Gilbert Remulla.

“She now joins the ranks of (nuisance candidates) Eddie Gil and Atty. Ely Pamatong in making Philippine elections a colorful democratic practice. Her declaration is also a vindication for Senator Villar,” he said.

“We have said all along that the C-5 issue is politically-motivated. The candidacy of Sen. Madrigal confirms that,” Remulla added.

The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) also welcomes the declaration of Senator Madrigal.

PDP-Laban secretary-general Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said Madrigal should state whether she plans to run under the PDP-Laban, to which she belongs.

He added that if Madrigal chooses to run under PDP-Laban, she should subject herself to the nomination process of the party.

“This will give PDP-Laban members a chance to choose between her and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay in a national convention,” he said.

Double talk

Arroyo earlier warned the Filipino voters against choosing presidential aspirants who are vocal critics of his mother President Arroyo, but are actually seeking favors from the administration.

“They are saying hindi sila kalaban na ano (itong ginagawa nila) ay pang media lang.” The administration lawmaker couldn’t hide his disgust to personalities who he said could be dubbed as double agents.

“They are saying that its only role playing for media consumption that they don’t mean what they say and that we can count on them,” he added.

Senator Mar Roxas of the Liberal Party was forced to defend himself after the July 27 SONA after President Arroyo criticized him for using her in his attempt to bag the presidency in May 2010.

In particular, she was peeved over Roxas decision to use the cheaper medicines law.

Escudero, an alleged opposition leader, said the allegations of corruption against the President “may very well be the darkest legacy of the Arroyo administration’s nine years in power.”

The youthful senator has been perceived to be friendly with the Arroyo administration, dating back to the time when he was still House minority leader, and represented the second district of Sorsogon.

Many of his former House allies in the opposition secretly despised him.

Other presidential aspirants in the Senate include Loren Legarda, Richard Gordon and Villar. – With Christina Mendez