Mikey denies coup plan against Nograles

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential son and Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo says he is not instigating a coup against Speaker Prospero Nograles.

“I’d like to put it on record that I am 100 percent behind the Speaker,” he said in a text message to The STAR.

He said he has not heard of any significant threat to Nograles.

The House of Representatives is abuzz with rumors that administration allies have hatched a plot to oust the incumbent Speaker supposedly because he is not pushing hard enough for Charter change (Cha-cha) via a constituent assembly.

The conversation in late February between Rep. Arroyo and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, on one hand, and Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., on the other, fueled such rumors.

Asked to comment on the alleged move to oust him, Nograles said danger signs are not on his radar.

“Frankly, I think that I am not in danger of a coup because everything looks well as far as the House is concerned,” he said.

At any rate, he said his fate lies in the hands of a majority of his colleagues.

He added that whoever wants him out would have to get the votes of 120 House members.

Arroyo has admitted that he and Romualdez had talked to De Venecia “about everything” and not specifically about Nograles or Cha-cha.