Four representatives from the Communist Party of China (CPC) arrived in Dagupan on Tuesday as guests of House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

The four, who are with the international department of the CPC, are in the Philippines to observe the ongoing political campaign in the Philippines and to consult with local political leaders.

Headed by Ai Ping, director general of the International Department of the CPC central committee, the group came upon the invitation of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party president De Venecia.

Flying in from Manila, they were welcomed by De Venecia at his residence and campaign headquarter in barangay Bonuan Binloc.

De Venecia confirmed that the CPC and Lakas-CMD, the ruling political party of the Philippines, have negotiated and concluded a cooperation agreement.

“We are proud of the Communist Party of China because under the leadership of Deng Xiao Ping and the others, more than 300 million Chinese have been lifted from poverty,” said De Venecia.

He said, never in the history of the world, that the country under the communist party leadership has been able to achieve this magnificent task.

De Venecia pointed out that this is what he and President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are doing and what former President Fidel Ramos and he had been trying to do ever since.

For his part, Ping acknowledged Lakas-CMD’s important role in the elections in the Philippines.

He said China and the Philippines are very close neighbors and since the establishments of the diplomatic relations between the two countries three decades ago, both countries had closely cooperated with each other.

“We believe that political institutions are important components in the effort to improve the life of the people,” Ai said.

He added that in both countries, developments are almost the same, and therefore are facing many similar problems.

 

De Venecia’s forecast:

8-4 or 9-3 for TU

HOUSE Speaker Jose de Venecia expressed confidence on Thursday that the province of Pangasinan would go 8-4 or 9-3 in favor of the administration’s senatorial ticket, Team Unity.

De Venecia said the problem with the opposition is that “there is just no one carrying them in the province”.

“I am not denigrating nor underestimating the potency and popularity of the opposition candidates. But at the end of the day, the sample ballots will have to be distributed,” he said.

He, however, did not name who the most probable winners in the TU would be.

He added that “voters will have to go to the precincts and transportation will have to be provided, so the ward leaders will just have to take over”.

For local positions, De Venecia, who is the president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats party, cited that there is no opposition in the fifth and sixth congressional districts.

On the other hand, those running in the first, second and third congressional districts are all candidates supporting the administration.

De Venecia is seeking re-election in the fourth district.

The surveys in Dagupan City, he said, are overwhelmingly in favor of the Fernandez-Fernandez ticket by a large margin.

In San Fabian, the race between re-electionist Mayor Mojamito Libunao of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats and Liga ng mga Barangay president Roland Villegas is a close fight, with Libunao having the edge.

However, he added that Villegas is also an administration candidate, being with the Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).

He believes that in Mangaldan, the incumbent mayor, Herminio Romero, has a great advantage over his challenger, Tito Zarzaba, but that the latter “is also a friend of mine and he’s not exactly opposition”.

“That’s the same story in the battle for governorship where all the three candidates are supporting the administration”, De Venecia said.

These are Dr. Jamie Agbayani, wife of outgoing Governor Victor Agbayani, who is with Biskeg-Lakas; Vice Governor Oscar Lambino of Lakas-CMD; and Rep. Amado Espino Jr. of Kampi.

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