Arroyo sis-in-law: We must rally behind Noynoy

The sister-in-law of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday urged the public to rally behind President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III, who is incidentally a staunch critic of the Arroyo administration.

"I’m sure he will make a good President if he will continue the legacy his mother has started. He’ll do a good job. We all have to rally behind him and he will do a good job," said Ang Kasangga party-list Rep. Ma. Lourdes T. Arroyo, sister of First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, in a statement posted on the House of Representatives website.

Aquino is the son of the late former president Corazon Aquino, who is hailed for playing a significant role in the restoration of democracy in the Philippines following the 1986 EDSA uprising.

Rep. Arroyo said she would be praying for Aquino, who will take his oath as the country's 15th president on June 30. "I will be praying for everyone, for him and for everyone. May God guide him always," she said.

Just last week, Aquino said he was ready to reconcile with his political opponents and even expressed willingness in working with them during his incumbency. [See: Noynoy ready to reconcile with political opponents]

Earlier during the campaign period, Aquino vowed to form a commission that would investigate corruption controversies in the Arroyo administration, including the botched ZTE national broadband network deal and the P728-million fertilizer fund scam. [See also: Controversies involving First Gentleman Mike Arroyo]

Rep. Arroyo is one of the four members of the Arroyo family in the 14th Congress. The others are her brother Negros Occidental Rep. Ignacio “Iggy" Arroyo and presidential sons Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey" Arroyo and Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado “Dato" Arroyo.

President Arroyo is set to replace Mikey as the incoming representative of Pampanga's second district. Ang Kasangga won enough votes for one House seat in the 15th Congress, but Ma. Lourdes Arroyo was not among its nominees.

On Tuesday, nine incoming and incumbent party-list representatives — many of whom were known allies of the Arroyo administration — went to Aquino's home in Times Street, Quezon City where they discussed his plans and pledged support for his administration.

Source: GmaNews