Mikey files Gloria Arroyo’s re-election bid in Pampanga

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday formalized her re-election bid as congresswoman of Pampanga’s second district, although she was not able to personally appear at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in her province.   Sarah Rivera, election assistant of the Comelec office in Pampanga, said Mrs. Arroyo’s son, Ang Galing Pinoy Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, filed his mother’s certificate of candidacy (COC) at 2:52 p.m.   Mrs. Arroyo had tweeted last week that it is “physically taxing” for her to travel from her home in Quezon City to her district due to problems with her spine.   Last year, Mrs. Arroyo underwent three surgeries at the St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City to correct a pinched nerve on her spine. The titanium implant was placed on her neck during the first procedure, and had to be corrected during the second operation.   The displaced titanium implant on her spine has prompted Mrs. Arroyo to undergo physical therapy thrice a week at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City. She has also tried an alternative treatment facility in Tagaytay City, as well as tap water and salt water treatments.    Mrs. Arroyo is currently out on bail for electoral sabotage charges. She is also facing graft charges before the Sandiganbayan for the botched national broadband deal entered into by her administration with the Chinese firm ZTE Corp., and for the alleged misuse in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) funds during her incumbency. — Andreo C. Calonzo/ KBK, GMA News