Rachel Arenas mulls senate run

Debunks too that Cojuangco-Binay alliance is final

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY – “Siyempre pinag-aaralan po nating mabuti (I still carefully studies it),” retorts by former Congresswoman Maria Rachel Arenas (3^rd District, Pangasinan) when asked if she has moist eye for a senate post.

Former Congresswoman Maria Rachel Arenas TV ads

Arenas, who run an aggressive advertisement at two major national television networks, said she makes powwows and consultations all over the country for the past year.

“I have been going around in the past year to all the provinces. I go to four to five provinces a week,” she stressed.

She said it is a tough challenge to barnstorm the 78 provinces, 120 cities, and 1,495 towns in the country.

When asked how she fares at pollsters Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia, she said she was doing fine.

“Siyempre pinag-aaralan din natin ng mabuti. Kasi baka may iba pang plano rin si presidente para sa amin. Mag-usap-usap kami. Ang pag-ikot-ikot ko para na ring tulong sa administration”.

She cited her mother Rep. Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas (3^rd District, Pangasinan) had done an exemplary jobs in bringing funds and projects in her district that she (Rachel) did not have to run and regain it in 2016.

“Kayang-kaya ng ina ko. Actually nag-uwi double ng projects and funds for the 3^rd District dahil rin iyong mga (cabinet) secretaries natulungan niya dati”.

Meanwhile, Former Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas said as of press time there is no marching order for the Liberal Party members like her to support Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. after Former Congressman Mark Cojuangco endorsed Vice President Jejomar Binay for the presidency in 2016.

“Sa L.P wala pa naman nakakarating kung sino sasama sa LP. Wala pa naman kaming naririnig”.

Arenas, a board of director of the Philippine Red Cross, did not believe that  Cojuangco categorically endorse Binay in his latest visit in Binmaley, Pangasinan.

“Ang pagka-intinde ko Cong Mark has not really endorsed. Ang nangyari lang ang sabi ni Cong Mark he is waiting for the party’s (Nationalist People’s Coalition) decision. But alam ko the vice president visited and Cong Mark was with him. Siguro to give respect also because he is the incumbent second highest positioned (person) in the land”.

Political kibitzers in and outside the province have been speculating that a Cojuangco-Binay alliance would create a Roxas-Espino collaboration.

Espino was the pet peeve of Roxas and former Alaminos Mayor Hernani Braganza – a present staff of Roxas – when Braganza challenged Espino in the 2013 gubernatorial race.

Although Espino is a graduating governor of the 3 million populated province, his son and namesake Board Member Amado III has been aspiring for the top post of Pangasinan

“Tanong  ninyo na lang kay Nani,” Arenas told this paper to ask Braganza if an alliance with Espino is in the pipeline.

When asked if Liberal Party in Pangasinan will support Espino in case the Cojuangco-Binay alliance is finalized, Braganza just smiled at the poser.

Arenas, LP’s stalwarts, and coalition members Braganza, Rep. Gina de Venecia (4^th District, Pangasinan), Former Speaker Joe de Venecia, and this city’s Mayor Belen T. Fernandez joined Roxas when he made a round of consultations with the various sectors here last April 11.