Pangasinan sends 4 women, 2 men to Congress
LINGAYEN—Pangasinan claims another first in Congress’ history.
In what was once a male-dominated political conclave, this vote-rich province will now be represented in the House of Representatives not by six men but by four distinguished ladies and two gentlemen.
Led by re-electionist Third District Rep. Rachel Arenas, the women-power team is composed Georgina De Venecia (4th District), Carmen Cojuangco (Fifth District) and Marlyn Primicias-Agabas (1st District).
Arenas trounced her lone challenger Gallant Soriano in their return bout.
In their first encounter in 2007, Arenas led by only a thin margin but in the May 10 polls, the congresswoman scored a landslide victory, 141,869 to Soriano’s 77,914.
In the all-women battle between Manay Gina and Manang Celia in the 4th District, de Venecia, wife of incumbent 4th District Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr., garnered 119,396 votes against Celia Lim’s 59,663 votes, having won in all towns in the district including Dagupan City.
In the fifth district, Carmen Cojuangco, wife of Rep. Mark Cojuangco, whipped Justice Demetria Demetria in the congressional race. Mrs. Cojuangco had 127,716 votes against Demetria’s 51,011 votes.
Vice Governor Marlyn Primicias Agabas defeated retired General and former Armed Forces Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon Jr. in the sixth district of Pangasinan.
Agabas piled up 101,392 votes while Esperon accounted for only 74,945.
The new minority in the congressional gender block are retired police director Leopoldo Bataoil (2nd District) and Jesus Celeste (1st District).
Bataoil had 65,161 votes against in the second district over Maria Blanca Kim Lokin’s 30,144 votes.
Celeste piled up 73,436 votes to nose out Ma. Judea Pulido who earned 50,309 votes.
If Lokin and Pulido had won, Pangasinan would have had an all-women representation in the 15th Congress. – LM
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