IS reconciliation now in the offing for House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and Mayor Benjamin Lim of Dagupan City?

This possibility arose when both politicians finally came face-to-face Wednesday during the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Pantal bridge presided over by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The crowd at the ceremony cheered when Speaker de Venecia and Mayor Lim shook each other’s hands at the instance of Gov. Victor Agbayani and when Mayor Lim offered his hand to Mrs. Arroyo.

Gov. Victor Agbayani got the speaker and the city mayor to shake hands and acknowledge each other to the delight of the crowd. But the cheering was short-lived as the two quickly turned their backs on each other after the brief show of civility.

“Did you notice the reaction of the people when they (De Venecia and Lim) shook hands? It means that their constituents do not want them to fight in the coming election,” Agbayani told newsmen.
    

De Venecia and Lim have not been on speaking terms since the issue about the bangus processing plant came between them. 

Lim had also earlier joined the call for President Arroyo’s resignation last year and neither has Mrs. Arroyo reportedly spoken to Lim since then.

In his speech on that occasion, Lim acknowledged that the new P903 million Pantal bridge would not have been possible without the help of Speaker de Venecia.

For his part, De Venecia encouraged Mayor Lim to transfer the city hall along the new diversion road to help decongest the city. The construction of the new road was fully funded by the Speaker’s Country Development Fund of P234 million.

After the ceremony, Mayor Lim joined President Arroyo, Japanese Ambassador Ryuchiro Yamazaki, and Gov. Agbayani at the home of Speaker and Mrs. De Venecia at Bonuan Binloc for lunch.

After the luncheon Lim had a photo opportunity with the De Venecias in the company of President Arroyo.

But Gov. Agbayani said De Venecia and Lim did not have a chance to talk over lunch because the President and the Japanese ambassador were seated with them.            

 Political observers, however, noted that true reconciliation between De Venecia and Lim may not be realized unless Lim reconciles first with President Arroyo.

In her speech during the ground-breaking rites, President Arroyo publicly acknowledged Speaker De Venecia as her “super ally”.

Another factor for a possible De Venecia-Lim reconciliation is the Speaker’s announcement that he has worked out a $2 million grant from the South Korean government to finance the mayor’s pet project, the bangus processing plant. (See related story this issue).

De Venecia earlier said that the U.S. $2 million will not be a loan but a grant to Dagupan, meaning the latter will not have to repay the South Korean government.

If, however, Lim declines the offer, De Venecia is reportedly inclined to offer it to San Fabian.  

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