Thousands came for what may have appeared as a political rally for Speaker Jose de Venecia in preparation for the 2007 congressional race but they actually came for another reason –  to receive  the free PhilHealth cards.

The occasion wasthe distribution of Philippine Health Insurance Corp. cards to indigents and health kits to barangay health workers by Speaker De Venecia.

This was the same scene that happened earlier in San Fabian, Manaoag and San Jacinto

before he proceeded to Dagupan and then later to Mangaldan.

Half of the one-year premium for Philhealth cards was paid by the Speaker from his Countrywide Development Assistance Fund, and the other half by PhilHealth.

The medical kits were released by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes office to the barangay health workers ostensibly on his representation. Vice Mayor Alvin Fernandez, along with Councilors Farah Decano, Danilo Torio, Jose Netu Tamayo, Alex de Venecia and Eric Muñoz joined the Speaker in this activity.

Notably absent was Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim who has openly indicated he would seek to regain his congressional seat that he had given up for the Speaker in 2000.

De Venecia
to Lim

 “Congratulations to him”.

This was the curt reply of Speaker Jose deVenecia to local media when asked of his reaction to the threat of City Mayor Benjamin Lim that the latter would challenge him in next year’s congressional contest.

The Speaker also confirmed that Lim remains a member of the ruling Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats despite knowledge that the city mayor “turned his back in the last minute on President Arroyo and campaigned for Fernando Poe Jr.”

He added that nobody has called for Lim’s ouster from the party despite his joining the opposition’s call for President Arroyo to resign.

Asked why he is suddenly very visible in his district, De Venecia said he   has   been going around the country as the president of the ruling party, and “it would not look good if I do not visit my own province and district.”

Corollary to this, Speaker de Venecia, in a talk over a local radio station, said it is not in his character to hit back at his enemies, when told of the constant sniping against him at every opportunity by Mayor Lim.

He categorically denied Lim’s allegations that he failed to support the city over the last 7 years. He maintained that he supported the administration of Mayor Lim by providing funds for the construction of Dagupan’s fish market, building of roads and bridges and waterworks projects but added that he could not put all his pork barrel funds in Dagupan.

On the bangus processing plant project that started the rift between the Speaker and the mayor, De Venecia admitted he has not delivered because Lim could not yet ascertain the budget needed for the project.

      “He has to make up his mind on how much that project really costs,” the Speaker pointed out.

 

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