ALL’S still quiet in the frontline as the two key players plot their moves.

House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., congressional representative for the fourth district of Pangasinan, is keeping mum on the possible candidacy of Dagupan Mayor Benjamin Lim against him in the May election while the latter refuses to say whether he is in or not.

“This is a democratic country and anyone who is qualified to run can run,” De Venecia said.

Meanwhile, Lim, in a text message to The PUNCH on Tuesday denied his earlier pronouncement to members of the local media that he is giving himself up to the “end of the month” to decide whether to seek re-election or run against De Venecia.

He said in his text message that he did not specifically say what month. “Abangan na lang (Just wait),” he added.

Both De Venecia and Lim belong to the administration Lakas-CMD-UMDP party.

However, Lim has been strongly criticizing De Venecia as well as the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in past months. De Venecia is Lakas president while Arroyo is the national chairman and whose resignation was demanded by Lim at the height of the “Hello Garci” controversy.

The party has not taken any disciplinary action against Lim but sources said there are even efforts by emissaries to patch up Lim’s differences with the speaker.

Lim was former congressman of Pangasinan’s fourth district who decided to give way to de Venecia in 2001. He opted to run for mayor then and he still has one more term to serve.

Last year, the city mayor started making the rounds in the district consulting the people about their plight and whether they want a change in leadership or not.

Lim said the result was positive but he said he has not reached a final decision as he is still weighing his options.

Meanwhile, political leaders in Pangasinan say Lim should “give in to De Venecia, with due respect to what he has done for the district and the country as speaker of the House of Representatives.”

“If De Venecia wins another term, he could be again the speaker. Why deprive Pangasinan of that pride and honor?” they commented.—EVA

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments