Battle-scarred political warrior

By Jun Velasco

DAGUPEÑOS and 4th District denizens felt relieved when Speaker Joe de Venecia came home this weekend.

They saw no wrinkles on his face, neither furrows on his forehead and no sign of worry on his aura.

Those who had worried for him a lot due to the political turbulence arising from the  corruption charges made by his son and namesake Joey de Venecia III against  well placed  personas in the highest echelons of  government  were pleasantly surprised at the Speaker’s ebullience, unsullied savvy  and  poise and  even as he casually went around  his usual routine  inaugurating  infrastructure projects he has initiated in the district.

What many do not probably know is that the “Pangasinan Idol” (his nickname in the election campaign) is a battle-scarred warrior in politics.  It may be true that the Malacañang-Congress alienation could have unsettled him considering the personalities involved, but as most of you who saw him yesterday noticed, the Speaker’s charisma was intact.  His equanimity, noted an observer,  is second to  none.  His constituents in the district are lucky for his durable leadership. Let’s pray for his fine health and continued well-ness.

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On Tuesday, JDV’s junior, broadband technology guru Joey de V will be the guest speaker of Pangasinan Rotarians at the Star Plaza Hotel.

There are speculations that the speaker would be unseated by his peers as a result of Joey’s expose involving the First Couple.

We disagree. If that happens, it would be like pulling the rug from under the very seat of political power.

The uneasy peace between the Arroyos and the De Venecias, in our view, would give way to reconciliation, which both parties are working out to preserve themselves and move the ship of state forward.

The young de Venecia’s date with Rotarians on Tuesday  will give both parties  an ideal opportunity to exchange  notes on how to help save the country  and  turn the engine of growth for the sake of our children and the future generation.

Meanwhile, the Rotarians’ – and, for that matter, the general public’s – fortune is that Joey is more businessman than politician even if he is the junior of his compleat politician father.  In our view our Rotarians will be fortunate to have access to their guest speaker’s expert grasp of economics and business.  Joey was an MBA scholar of Fordham University in New York and has a business-accounting degree from the American University in Washington, D.C.

Let’s salute the host club – Rotary Club of Downtown Dagupan – headed by President Rommel Partosa, Sky Cable – Pangasinan manager – and the three Rotary clusters for inviting Joey de Venecia to their inter-city meeting.

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Boy Rayos’ vacationing son recently noticed a resurgence of blast fishing  at  the Lingayen Gulf  in the Tondaligan Area.  He was also disgusted by   the skyhigh  price of   bangus  in  Bonuan which he suspects  was due to blast fishing. We wish to call the attention of the local coastal ma-nagers to this abuse of Dagupan’s marine wealth.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/ Readers may reach columnist at junmv@yahoo.com . For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)