MANILA, Philippines?If it's any consolation to critics of the administration, there is a chance that one member of the Arroyo family may not be back in Congress after the May 2010 elections.
Norman Tayag, secretary general of the Ang Kasangga party list group, said Tuesday that its current representative, Ma. Lourdes Arroyo, the President's sister-in-law, may not be among the group's nominees in the May 2010 polls.
?It seems she might not be with us in 2010,? Tayag said at the Ilustrado forum in Manila.
In an interview, he said there were members of the group who wanted Arroyo to continue on as the group's nominee, and there were those who believed that other members should be given a chance to represent the group.
Replying to a question, he said there were more members who wanted other candidates to serve as the group's nominees.
Ang Kasangga is currently in the process of selecting its five nominees, whose names it would have to submit to the Commission on Elections by March 26.
Tayag said the group was conducting consultations and discussions with members in various regions in the country.
The entry of Arroyo into the House of Representatives as a party list representative raised to four the number of her family members in Congress, and drew criticism from those who say that there were too many members of the First Family in Congress.
The other Arroyos in Congress are Ma. Lourdes' brother, Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio Arroyo, and her nephews Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel ?Mikey? Arroyo and Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo.
Ang Kasangga represents micro entrepreneurs, such as the vendors of balloons.
Tayag trumpeted the value of the micro enterprises, which he said absorb the unemployed members of society and provide input to the formal sector.
But even if Ma. Lourdes would not be a party list nominee, her prominent sister-in-law, President Macapagal-Arroyo, may join Congress.
Ms Arroyo is running for representative of Pampanga?second district in the May 2010 elections. Her son, Mikey, may be a party list nominee as well.
