Manay Gina for senator?

By Eva C. Visperas

      I’ve heard that clamor in 2004. It did not prosper. Reason was the husband did not give his green light. This May mid-term elections, talks and clamor are growing again for Manay Gina de Venecia to run for senator under the administration ticket, of course.

      I last saw Manay Gina, together with her loyal friend, Gypsy, during the wake of Margarita Ocampo, dear mom of Sto. Tomas, Pangasinan Mayor Vivien Ocampo-Villar, in Parañaque City Tuesday night.

      At the lobby, Gypsy and I initially reminisced our happy days as reporters in Pangasinan, then turned to rumors about Manay running for senator in May. “Many really want her to run,” Gypsy said. (If Manay decides so, that means Gypsy’s beauty will also be seen all over the country to campaign).

      But it was only last Thursday morning when I finally caught up with Manay on the phone and talked about her possible candidacy.

      “They (the administration) are just waiting for me to say ‘yes’,” Gina said, who is turning 58 on Feb. 15. “I am now seriously considering the offer but I am praying for discernment because that would mean a total change in my life,” said the president of the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc.“  and a supportive wife all her life.

      But while she remains undecided, Pangasinan leaders belonging to Biskeg na Pangasinan (a group of 38 Pangasinan mayors and majority of provincial board members, vice mayors and councilors) are pushing her to give it a try considering her popularity and winnability.

      Manay said she’s happy many have expressed total support for her for the senatorial fight. In fact, she said in Pangasinan, her number one supporter is Undersecretary Antonio Villar Jr, Biskeg’s founding chairman and president, who, months ago, had broached the idea for her to run.

      While she believes entering public office will help her in her advocacy for the disadvantaged and abused women and children, a big part of her decision-making would greatly depend on husband Joe’s approval. The speaker, president of the administration Lakas-CMD-UMDP party, reportedly still tells her told her she can still pursue her programs even without getting into politics. Hmm, sounds like it will be a ‘no’ again?

      Since she lost her daughter KC who died when their Dasmariñas residence was burned two years ago, she has devoted her time helping the poor, especially the bereaved mothers like her and the abused women and children. She recently put up Haven, a home for abused women and children, and INA (Inang Naulila ng Anak) Center for mothers who lost their children.

      Her other children, Ipe, Carissa and Christopher have indicated their support should she run for a senatorial seat. They know she possesses many qualities of a leader immensely popular, especially with the masa who see her on television and remember her Nagmamahal, Manay Gina program that dwelt on dramas in life. She’s also a proven trouble -shooter, reaching out her hand of reconciliation to perceived enemies of the administration.

      The suspense is becoming more intense. She is praying for discernment, but until when? End of this month, she said.

      But the bigger question is: Will dear JDV allow her to run?

 

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/business-log/)

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