MALASIQUI–A school supervisor of Malasiqui, the elder brother of Malasiqui Mayor Armando Domantay, can now expect to have a kidney transplant to prolong his dear life.

This was made possible through the financial help extended by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo through the intercession of Third District Rep. Rachel Arenas.

Rep. Arenas on Friday turned over a P500,000 check issued by the Office of the President to Cipriana Coquia Memorial Dialysis Center (CCMDC) in Dagupan City to cover part of the cost of the kidney transplant for Malasiqui II District Supervisor Sofronio Domantay, 61, father of 7.

The patient had been undergoing dialysis since he was diagnosed in October last year to have a serious kidney problem and would need a kidney transplant.

“The amount did not come from me, it came from President Arroyo on account of the medical condition of Mr. Domantay,” Rep. Arenas clarified, when she addressed teachers during their Moral Recovery Program at the San Julian Elementary School in Malasiqui.

Accompanying the congresswoman at the turn-over was her mother, Rosemary “Baby” Arenas, also known for charitable works in Malasiqui and in the third district of Pangasinan.

The check will be kept in trust by Dr. Abraham Coquia of CCMDC till Domantay finds a kidney donor.

Domantay said he needs P2 million for the transplant procedure and the P500,000 financial assistance made possible was timely and means a lot to him and his family.

Arenas said she immediately talked to the President after Domantay called her asking for help. The following day, the Office of the President called her to say the check for Mr. Domantay was ready.

“Sa dami ng problema ni Pangulong Gloria, natutugunan pa rin niya ang mga problemang ganito“, said Arenas.

Mayor Domantay expressed his gratitude to Rep. Arenas for helping his brother raise the fund for his kidney transplant.

“Diyan natin makikita na malakas talaga at iba ang connection ni Congresswoman Arenas kay President Arroyo. Malaking tulong po to kay Supervisor (Domantay),” the mayor said. –LM

Gina, Joey de Venecia testing political waters

Two De Venecias are raring to fill in the shoes of Pangasinan’s political powerhouse 4th District Jose de Venecia Jr. who is serving his mandated last term.

His wife, Gina, and son, Joey, have been visible “testing the political waters” around the country evidently preparing to run for public office in the 2010 election.

Both Gina and her stepson Joey have been speaking in public forums organized through the Lakbay Pasasalamat of former President Joseph Estrada who leads the political opposition.

Joey, whose senate testimony on the shelved ZTE-NBN deal implicating First Gentleman Miguel Arroyo in corruption allegations triggered the fall out between his father and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, has announced his interest in running for either the House of Representatives, a position that will be vacated by his father who has served the maximum three terms, or the Senate.

Gina, meanwhile, who ably led the congressional spouses’ foundation and founded the INA Foundation, has also indicated that she is open to either House or Senate post.

However, the former Speaker added she is also being prodded to run for governor of Pangasinan.

“We will see. Our priority is the fourth district of Pangasinan,” the former House Speaker said.

Gina, for her part, said, “We have to pray first, ask for a discernment.”

So as to which De Venecia will be running for which post will continue to be subject of speculation by political pundits until the date of filing of candidacy.#

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