MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Senatorial candidate and Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros on Friday gave what she felt was an apt word to describe the First Family’s apparent hunger for power—“Arroyotitis”.

“They’re elevating this shameless craving for political power to a different, legendary level. We might as well give it a name, and call it ‘Arroyotitis’,” Hontiveros said in reaction to Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo’s plan to seek a party-list seat in the May 10 elections.

 “Like mother, like son. Obviously, Arroyotitis is hereditary. Masyado naman silang naghahabol ng pwesto. Gusto nila kunin ang pagka-Prime Minister, President, Speaker, at limang seats sa Kongreso. Kulang na lang baguhin nila ang ating batas para makatakbo si Mikey ng SK,” Hontiveros said. (Read also: 5 Arroyos may set a world record)

On Thursday, the eldest son of President Arroyo and First Gentleman Mike Arroyo said several political parties seeking party-list seats in Congress have asked him to be their nominee. He refused to disclose the names of the parties. (Read: Mikey Arroyo eyeing party-list seat)

‘Be truthful, original’

“Ano kaya ang sasabihin niyang marginalized sector na kanyang ire-represent? Mga manininda ng fishball? One of the Arroyos is already representing the balut vendors, so Mikey should soon announce the token marginalized sector that he aspires to represent,” Hontiveros said.

The Liberal Party senatorial bet said Rep. Mikey Arroyo should be original and truthful in choosing the groups he would want to represent.

“There are many pro-poor and anti-corruption party-lists already. Rep. Mikey Arroyo should bat for originality and represent a pro-corruption party-list this time. At least, that would be closer to the truth,” she said.

She added, “By creating its own party-lists, the GMA administration has made the party-list system the backdoor of trapos to the House of Representatives.”

Palace: Nothing wrong with Mikey's plan

Presidential deputy spokesperson Charito Planas saw nothing wrong with the plan of Mikey Arroyo to seek a party-list seat in Congress.

"I don't see any ethics involved there, desisyon yun ng party-list eh," Planas said on Friday.

She pointed out that as long as the party-list is legal and accredited by the Commission on Elections, it has a right to choose its own nominee for party-list representative.

If all the Arroyos running in the May 2010 elections win, there will be 5 members of the President’s family in Congress. They include the President, (2nd district, Pampanga), Rep. Mikey Arroyo, (still to be announced party-list group), Rep Diosdado “Dato” Arroyo, (2nd district, Camarines Sur), Rep Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo, (5th district, Negros Occidental), and Rep. Maria Lourdes “Marilou” Tuason Arroyo-Lesaca (Kasangga).

This would leave only the President's daughter Evangelina Lourdes “Luli” Arroyo-Bernas and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo outside of formal political life.

Mikey, party must present proof

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said Mikey Arroyo's name may be submitted as a nominee. However, he said all the names of nominees of the various parties will be screened after the March 26 deadline for submission of nominees.

Based on the Supreme Court decision on party-list groups affecting Banat, Bagong Bayani, and ACT, nominees must not only represent the sector but should also be from that sector.

Sarmiento said it would be up to Mikey Arroyo and his party-list group to prove that he comes from that particular sector.

Comelec is mandated to disclose and release the names of nominees of party-list groups.

The Comelec law department is given 5 days after the March 26 deadline to publish the list of nominees in 3 newspapers of general circulation.

‘Arroyo kiss of death’

Meanwhile, ACT Teachers' party said Rep. Arroyo’s entry into the party-list arena will make a mockery of the spirit and intent of the party-list law of providing representation to the marginalized and underrepresented sectors of society.

“There's no place for him in the party-list system, and any party-list that takes him onboard as a nominee will thereby reveal itself as a bogus party-list, a mere Malacañang front. The voting public will not be fooled,” said ACT Teachers party-list President Antonio Tinio.

Tinio noted the negative effect the close association with President Arroyo has had on the campaign of administration presidential candidate Gilbert Teodoro.

“Any party-list that’s considering taking him as a nominee should think twice. They will have to contend with the so-called ‘Arroyo kiss of death’,” Tinio said.

Backdoor to Lower House

Furthermore, Tinio said that it will not be the first time an Arroyo has used the party-list system as backdoor to the House of Representatives. He said several party-list groups vying for seats in the coming elections have links to Malacañang’s Office of External affairs.

“Given Pres. Arroyo's candidacy for a congressional seat in Pampanga, it seems that the leading members of the Arroyo clan are hell-bent on positioning themselves in Congress, together with various Malacañang-sponsored bogus party-lists, to prolong their hold on power and possibly to play a role in Mrs. Arroyo's avowed goal of Charter Change and the shift to a parliamentary system,” said Tinio. -- with a report from Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News