Toff de Venecia: Mar won the Presidential Debate

IN the eyes of Christopher “Toff” de Venecia, it was administration candidate Mar Roxas who won by landslide in the third and final Presidential Debate at University of Pangasinan-Phinma,witnessed by millions here and overseas.

The 29-year-old son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Fourth District Rep. Manay Gina de Venecia who is seeking the position to be vacated by his mother, admitted though he was not in the debate hall at Phinma-UPang, he watched the debate from a giant screen installed at the Dagupan Bus parking lot where Roxas was given a rousing welcome by his supporters on his way to the debate venue.

“In my opinion, a president has emerged in that debate, and that is no other than Sec. Mar,” said the 29-year old son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Gina, who like others called Roxas “Sec. Mar”.

TOFF

“The weaknesses of the other candidates were exposed,” said the young De Venecia who noted that Roxas gained renewed confidence en route to that debate by alighting from his car in front of his campaign headquarters and gamely danced with his supporters to the tune of his campaign jingle.

He said Roxas was so inspired and composed in that debate and his dancing with his army of yellow supporters on Arellano Street gave him added boost of confidence to win.

As to Roxas’ alighting in front of his campaign headquarters and milling with his supporters, Supt. Christopher Abrahano, Police Chief of Dagupan, was stunned as it was not part of the security arrangements for VIPs in that debate, said De Venecia.

Because of Roxas’ splendid performance in that debate, De Venecia said “Sinesegurado ko at tinitiyak ko na si Sec. Mar will be the flavor of the month in May.”

He said in the debate that adopted the Town Hall format, Roxas had intelligent responses to all the issues and questions raised by citizens from various parts of the country brought by ABS-CBN to the site, and even by the moderators Karen Davila and Tony Velasquez.

“He was so decent. Ang gaganda ng kanyang mga salita. Talagang pinag-aralan niya,” said De Venecia as he slammed Roxas’ bashers in social media accusing the administration presidential candidate and ABS-CBN of cheating, by presenting a clip of what Roxas said on one issue but which they said did not match the TV station’s report.

Defending Roxas from his social media bashers, De Venecia said: These people seem to indicate that those who are intelligent and came prepared should no longer be allowed to join a public debate.

Nakakalungkot naman dahil hindi na pala yong matalino at handa at may magandang sinasabi sa isang debate ang pwede sa debate,” said De Venecia.

De Venecia said he also is all praises for Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago as she talked sense in that debate although he observed that she was constantly grasping for thoughts.

“It’s not the same Miriam that we have experienced in all our lives. But she is still there, the stateswoman that we know is still there.” De Venecia said.

He also praised the performance of Vice president Jejomar Binay in that debate but added that it so happened he has to support another candidate who he feels would be the best for the country.

“Grace Poe is okay. I have no beef against her but I have misgivings for Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte because of the manner in which he conveys his thoughts, especially when asked by host Karen Davila if he thinks he can be role model for the youth and said “yes”, with Davila showing as if she was fat-babbled.

The young De Venecia, who confirmed he is a self-confessed feminist because he grew up and was surrounded by powerful women like his mom Gina, also slammed what he called Duterte’s reductive view about women when at one time he reportedly said in an interview that the women are the weaker sex

At the same time, De Venecia admitted doing a “Lugawan” program in the Fourth District which, he said, is his way of connecting with the people, especially with the youth of his age.

This is an informal forum not held on stage but on the same level with his audience, just talking to the people, learn their concerns and how they live and respond to the challenges in life,

In this “lugawan”, he usually does “Taas-kamay” survey where he asks his audience who they would support as the next president of the country.

The result, he said was always an overwhelming vote for Mar and Leni.

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