Rep. Arenas birthday party
MALASIQUI—It was a night to remember for local politics.
The birthday-cum-thanksgiving party of 3rd District Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas last Thursday proved to be an occasion where political opponents could temporarily be buddies as they shook or raised each other’s hands, and even gave each other a hug.
The surprise birthday party tendered by Baby Arenas, the congresswoman’s mother, for her daughter, saw the clashing gubernatorial bets, re-electionist Gov. Amado Espino Jr. and his challenger, Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza, in a civil moment where the latter referred to the former as “idol”.
The rivalry between Espino and Braganza has been hot right after the filing of certificate of candidacy with both camps engaging in a word war.
Espino came with his running mate, re-electionist Vice Gov. Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr., while Braganza was also with his tandem, retired Philippine National Police chief Arturo Lomibao.
Arenas, Braganza and Lomibao are party mates under the Liberal Party.
But while the Espino-Braganza clash is heated, the contest between Calimlim and has been a gentleman’s competition.
The two readily posed before members of the media and raised each other’s hand.
Not everyone, though, could temporarily forgive that evening.
The bitter enemies of Malasiqui, re-electionist Mayor Armand Domantay and his challenger Fe Soriano kept at their own corners and noticeably avoided each other.
“It takes one Baby Arenas to gather them together in one affair,” said one visitor who asked not to be identified.
The congresswoman, for her part, expressed joy to see everyone present and said, “if we have to be an avenue for unity, then why not?”
A veritable Who’s Who among senatorial bets also came, some of whom arriving via helicopter. These include presidential cousin Bam Aquino, JV Ejercito and his half-brother Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, former Senators Ernesto Maceda and Migz Zubiri, Congresswomen Cynthia Villar and Mitos Magsaysay.
Arenas, who is now running for a third and last term, made history by running unopposed in the 3rd District.–Eva Visperas
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