MANILA, Philippines -- Representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo’s woes won’t just stop.
In a week’s time, a second disqualification case has been filed against the son of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for representing Ang Galing Pinoy (AGP) partylist in the House of Representatives.
The complainant this time is a tricycle driver, whom he claims to represent.
Arroyo “is not qualified and not eligible to sit as representative of Ang Galing Pinoy,” according to the petition for quo warranto filed by Danilo Vinero Antipasado, a 34-year old tricycle driver in Novaliches, Quezon City, before the House of Representative Electoral Tribunal Thursday afternoon.
The petition is joined by Rowell Pino, 22, a security guard, and another tricyle driver, 49-year-old Ronald Estrella.
On Wednesday, former Akbayan partylist Representative Risa Hontiveros also filed a disqualification case against Arroyo for failing to submit documentary requirements in the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Several cases were also lodged at the Supreme Court questioning the decision of the Comelec to grant Arroyo a seat in the House.
In his petition, Antipasado said Arroyo cannot sit as partylist representative because he does not come from the marginalized or underrepresented sector.
Arroyo, former congressman of Pampanga’s second district, is also ineligible to sit because he was not a member of AGP at least 90 days before the May 10 elections as required by the partylist law, the petition said.
On February 18, 2010, Arroyo admitted in a television report that he was still choosing which party list group to join, it added.
Arroyo was also not qualified to be a partylist representative because he was an incumbent congressman at the time he was nominated, and such is prohibited by the law, according to the petition.
It also asked the HRET to disqualify AGP as a partylist group, saying it is a “satellite of major political parties,” having affiliations with the then ruling Lakas-Kampi-Christian Muslim Democrats party.
Source: Inquirer
