The star-studded batch of incoming legislators like former First Lady Imelda Marcos, actress Lani Mercado and TV personality Lucy Torres will get no special treatment in the House of Representatives.

Even Gina De Venecia, wife of former House Speaker Jose De Venecia Jr., and Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will also not get special privilege in choosing what room they will use in the upcoming congress.

Lawyer Marilyn Barua-Yap, House secretary-general, said that only President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, incoming representative of the second district of Pampanga, will be given some privileges in the House, in deference to her outgoing position.

“There are no special treatments here...baka mapagalitan pa kami,” Barua-Yap said.

“But as a courtesy to the former President, she could have her way in choosing her room,” Barua-Yap told reporters on Thursday.

Arroyo, who was elected to represent Pampanga in the 15th Congress, could take any room if she would not want to occupy the former office of her erstwhile ally in Lakas CMD, former House Speaker Jose De Venecia.

Yap noted the famous celebrities who were recently elected to represent their districts will have to go through the pains of holding office in rooms farthest from the plenary hall.

Tradition in the House of Representative has compelled young lawmakers to set up their offices in the fifth and sixth floors to give way to the senior legislators, who are suffering from old age and heart ailments.

Aside from Arroyo, Yap added that preferential treatment would only be given to senior lawmakers who could be on the ground floor.

Marcos (Ilocos Norte), Torres (Leyte), Mercado (Cavite), De Venecia (Pangasinan), and Pacquiao (Sarangani) are among the 287 lawmakers expected to hold office in the Batasan Complex.

But Yap disclosed there are only 228 rooms available to accomodate all.

With the lack of available rooms, some of the lawmakers will have to hold office in a portion of the conference rooms of the Mitra Building which will be converted into congressmen’s offices.