Gloria running unopposed, feeling loved

LUBAO, Pampanga, Philippines  – Detained former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is “feeling loved” by her constituents after no one challenged her reelection bid as representative for the province’s second congressional district.

A Facebook statement posted for her by a staff noted that as precincts closed for the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) at 5 p.m. on Friday, no other person came to vie for the same post.

The statement noted that Arroyo “will be running unopposed.” Arroyo’s allies, including Gov. Lilia Pineda and son Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, are also running unopposed in Pampanga.

“Thank you for the love and support,” the statement said, even as the former president tagged her name with the declaration “feeling loved.”

The former president will be running for a third and final term as congresswoman under the Lakas-CMD party. She is a registered voter of Barangay San Nicolas, Lubao town, the birthplace of her late father former President Diosdado Macapagal.

She remains detained at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center over charges of misusing the intelligence fund of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) during her presidential term. Her son, Mikey Arroyo, who represented the district during her presidency, filed her COC for reelection.

In the three other districts of Pampanga, the reelection of incumbents is facing challenges. First district Rep. Joseller Guiao (Liberal Party) is challenged by Carmelo Lazatin, independent Edwin Bacay, and Juan Pagaran (Partido Bagong Maharlika).