Gloria Arroyo sis-in-law proclaimed Negros Occidental representative

Ma. Lourdes Arroyo Lesaca is proclaimed congresswoman of the fifth district of Negros Occidental by Provincial Election Board of Canvassers chairperson Salud Milagros Villanueva,and members Rene Caro and Dr. Portia Mallorca (l-r) at the provincial Capitol in Bacolod City. Carla P. Gomez, Inquirer Visayas

BACOLOD CITY — The sister-in-law of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was the first congressional candidate to be proclaimed in Negros Occidental.

Ma. Lourdes Arroyo Lesaca, sister of former first gentleman Mike Arroyo, was on a wheelchair during her proclamation about 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 15, due to a sprained leg. She said she would be out of the wheelchair by June.

Lesaca, who ran unopposed but still got 105,227 votes, would serve the fifth district of Negros Occidental where her brother, late Ignacio Arroyo Jr. served as a congressman.

The proclamation of the five other representatives of Negros Occidental and one for Bacolod was delayed due to incomplete results in the district caused by 17 defective SD cards, said Provincials Election Supervisor Salud Milagros Villanueva.

Lasaca said Speaker Arroyo advised her to hit the ground running now that she had been elected congresswoman.

“I want to excite the people of the fifth district by improving health services, education, and infrastructure for their livelihood. It is now time to go to work and deliver to the people,” she said.

She called on the people to forget politics to ensure peace and development for her district. (Editor: Leti Boniol)