Mikey Arroyo: I’ll never be an influence-peddler

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s eldest son Mikey pleaded yesterday with his friends and acquaintances to seek the "right channels" in their official dealings with Malacañang.

"I am not the right person to talk to when it comes to appointments with my mother or other official matters needing Malacañang’s attention," said 32-year-old Mikey.

Mikey admitted that a few people have approached him for appointments with the President, but that he had to politely advise them to go through the "proper channels."

Last Tuesday, Mikey reportedly refused to convey to his mother a letter from Gov. Lito Lapid seeking the appointment of certain Capampangans to positions in the Arroyo government.

Mikey allegedly advised Lapid to forward the letter to the office of Executive Secretary Renato de Villa.

"I will never be an influence-peddler. I will not intervene in the official duties of my mother," he said. "I don’t even know what my duties are as a First Son."

"Of course, it would be a different case if I get elected as vice governor of Pampanga, since I could approach my mother officially as vice governor and not as her son," Mikey said.

He, however, said he will likely drop his political plans which he announced last year after Lakas-NUCD leaders in 21 Pampanga towns passed a resolution drafting him as their vice gubernatorial candidate.