Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson yesterday joined the fray in the controversy surrounding the death of Rep. Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5th District).

In an interview over ABS-CBN, Lacson said he wants to reopen the Senate's investigation into the Jose Pidal account, and claimed he has information that the Negros solon and his brother, former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo, have P2 billion each in bank accounts.

Arroyo, who was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver, died in London, Thursday last week.

The London Clinic is set to release a medical report on his death following questions raised by his wife, Alicia Arroyo, from whom he had separated in 2005, as to who ordered the pulling of the plug on his life support system.

Businesswoman Grace Ibuna, the solon’s long time companion, was with him when he died but has refused to answer the allegations of Alicia.

In 2003, Rep. Arroyo claimed ownership of the Jose Pidal Bank account where millions of pesos in alleged campaign money of former president Gloria Magapagal Arroyo had been deposited, which his brother Mike was accused of owning.

Lacson claimed on ABS-CBN yesterday that he discovered other active accounts of the Arroyo brothers containing P2 billion each.

Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer of Mike Arroyo, denied the claim of Lacson saying that, if he can find such amounts, he can have them.

Lacson told ABS-CBN he is not dismissing the possibility that the family of the late congressman will claim ownership of his account.

Meanwhile, will Binalbagan Mayor Alejandro Mirasol and Board Member Emilio Yulo III throw their hats into the ring for the fifth congressional seat of Negros Occidental following the death of Rep. Arroyo?

Mirasol, who met with Gov. Alfredo Marañon Jr. yesterday to turn over of the P8 million contribution of Binalbagan to the Special Education Fund of the province from its real property tax collection, said his decision to run will depend on whom the United Negros Alliance decides to field if a special election is held.

Yulo, on the other hand, said that if an election is held, he would seriously consider running for the post.

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte on Tuesday told the DAILY STAR he was not inclined to call for a special election with the regular elections in May 2013 fast approaching, but would consult with House leaders on the matter. Should a caretaker congressman be assigned to the fifth district, Belmonte said an announcement would be made only after the funeral of Arroyo.

Other names earlier being bruited about as potential candidates for the fifth congressional seat are those of Board Member and Melvin Ibañez, Arroyo’s long time companion Grace Ibuna, and his sister, former Kasangga Rep. Ma Lourdes Arroyo.

Mirasol, when asked whether he would run if endorsed by UNA, of which he is a member, said he will abide by the party’s decision on whoever it chooses.

If endorsed, Mirasol said, he will cross the bridge when he gets there.

Mirasol described Arroyo as a great loss to the fifth district, having given many projects to the area, including Binalbagan, as congressman.

Arroyo was quiet and good person, Mirasol said.

Meanwhile, Mirasol also disclosed that Binalbagan was given a P6.140 million share from Small Town Lottery operations in his town in 2011.

The town is given a monthly share of about P572,000, he added.*CPG

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