SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – As President Arroyo inspected projects in Guagua yesterday morning, the possible gubernatorial bid of her son Rep. Mikey Arroyo was doused heavily as Vice Gov. Joseller “Yeng” Guiao formally declared his plan to run for governor in next year’s elections.
“The Pampanga Mayors’ League will stand by Yeng (Guiao) and the provincial board,” declared Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo, spokesperson of the PML, before some 200 guests who gathered at the Benigno Aquino Hall at the provincial capitol grounds.
The guests were initially invited to commemorate the 75th birthday of Guiao’s late father, the former governor Bren Guiao. The younger Guiao ended the affair by announcing that “the best way to honor the memory of my father is continue to serve the people he loved so much.”
“I formally declare my intent to run for governor,” he said.
Earlier, Mikey, who is on his second term as congressman representing this province’s second district, said he would run for governor should the President seeks his congressional post next year. Speculations that Mrs. Arroyo would run for congress was spawned by her unusually frequent visits to the second district of this province where she is a registered voter.
In a telephone interview, Mikey told The Star that he never declared any plan to run for governor. “That came from other people,” he said.
“At present, I am preparing for my reelection bid. I have my supporters with me,” he said.
Mikey described Guiao as “very qualified, has the political heritage, has delivered basic services to the people, and even has a Masters degree.”
But he said that since the pro-administration parties have merged into Lakas-Kampi-CMD, Guiao would have to undergo the process of selection in a provincial convention. “If there is any incumbent party member as governor seeking reelection, we would apply the principle of the equity of the incumbent. But since the governor is with the administration, Guiao will have to undergo the selection process,” he said.
To seek reelection
Asked whether his preparing for reelection in the second district would imply that the President would not seek the post after all, Mikey refused to comment saying he was not his mother’s spokesperson. He said that at present, his preoccupation is to seek reelection.
Guiao told The Star that his decision to run for governor was prompted by “a well planned and well coordinated declaration that will not step on the toes of anybody (among political colleagues).”