Arroyo, unopposed, got to vote

LUBAO, Pampanga—Reelectionist Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was cheerful as she cast her ballot here at 9 a.m. on Monday.

Arroyo, who ran unopposed in the second district, was voter No. 77 in precinct 0001A at Lubao Central Elementary School in Barangay San Nicolas 1.

Wearing a soft brace around her neck, Arroyo returned to the hometown she represents in Congress for the first time in almost four years, since she remains under hospital arrest on plunder charges at the Veterans Medical Memorial Center in Quezon City.

She arrived in a white Mercedes Benz with her husband, Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, who sported two rubber ballers in support of Rodrigo Duterte.

Arroyo, 69, suffers from a rare bone disease in her neck and spine. An emergency van and a vehicle carrying security personnel formed part of her convoy. The provincial government placed an emergency van on standby.

Arroyo fended off questions, saying, “Bawal, bawal (It’s not allowed).” The Supreme Court had granted her a day-long furlough to vote on Monday but she was not to give interviews.

She had on a violet blouse with floral prints, black leggings and two-inch pumps. With two female aides trailing her, she walked unaided to her precinct.

Her elder son, former Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, arrived in a separate car sporting a No. 8 license plate, which is exclusively for lawmakers. Mikey used to be the Pampanga representative before his mother and a party-list nominee.

The Arroyos were welcomed by Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and her daughter, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, who backed administration candidate Mar Roxas. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon and Johanne Margarette Macob, Inquirer Northern Luzon