Arroyo’s sis: Politics hasn’t crossed my mind at the moment

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — "Running (for Congress) has not crossed my mind at the moment."

Thus said former vice governor Cielo Macapagal-Salgado, half-sister of President Arroyo, on reports that she would pursue her congressional plans in Pampanga’s second district by substituting for another candidate.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, Salgado also denied reports that Malacañang had asked her to abandon her reported plans to run against her nephew, Vice Gov. Mikey Arroyo, the President’s eldest son, who is seeking the congressional post in the second district.

"I love Mikey and my father (the late former President Diosdado Macapagal) loved him so much because he was his first grandson," Salgado said.

"I have served (as vice governor). I have done my share," she added.

"I don’t want to drive a deeper wound into the family. Mikey came to me, but he never asked me to back out in the congressional race. I merely advised him to do his best for the province," she said.

She said she also advised Mikey "to keep only good company."

Still, Salgado refused to categorically say if she would not change her mind about not running for congresswoman in the second district where she has been a registered voter for years.

The Commission on Elections allows substitution of candidates.

At present, Mikey has two rivals in the congressional race, including Porac Vice Mayor Rey Lapid, a brother of Gov. Lito Lapid who is running for the Senate under the banner of the Lakas-CMD (Christian-Muslim Democrats).

Meanwhile, Salgado said she felt "sad" that her elder brother, Arturo Macapagal, declined to pursue his political plans.

Last year, Arturo announced that he was running for congressman in the second district which covers Lubao, the birthplace of their father.

"He was my Dad’s first choice to go into politics. But he (Arturo) did not want any controversy," she said.

Salgado and Arturo were Macapagal’s children with his first wife. When the late former president was widowed, he married Eva Macaraig, mother of the President and her younger brother Diosdado Jr.

Asked if she would help in the President’s campaign, Salgado said she would probably campaign only for "clean and honest elections."