Mikey Arroyo calls for clean NGAP election

FORMER Pampanga 2nd district representative Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo is calling for a clean and smooth election in the National Golf Association of the Philippines (NGAP) since the integrity of not just the federation but the people in the forefront will be at stake.

Arroyo, son of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, is seeking one of the 11 spots in the Board of Trustees, and hopes to eventually challenge two-term incumbent NGAP chief Martin Lorenzo for the group’s leadership.

“I don’t have anything bad to say about them (current NGAP officers), I’m just asking to safeguard the process of the elections. It’s not a bad thing,” said Arroyo, who met with several sportswriters at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club late last week.

The election is set for April 5 at the Alabang Country Club.

If elected to lead the sports association, Arroyo said he will push for the improvement of the grassroots program through the Junior Golf Foundation of the Philippines.

He also plans to boost women’s golf, send Filipino coaches to golf clinics abroad, improve the handicap systems, revive the Philippine Open and provide more access to NGAP programs to golf clubs.

“I’m not saying I’m the best candidate, but I listen to people to get things done. I will never pretend to know more than them because I don’t,” he said.

Arroyo said the election was supposed to take place on February 24 last year but for unknown reasons, the current leadership of the federation did not call for an election.

It was only when Iloilo Golf and Country Club asked the NGAP to hold the long delayed proceeding in a letter to the association on Dec. 20, 2023 that the election was set.

Arroyo said that he is hoping that NGAP officials led by Lorenzo will help in assuring a clean election.