No Guv’s Bet yet for Toff

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

DAGUPAN CITY – A Pangasinan congressman did not declare whom to support among those probable gubernatorial bets for the next year’s poll in the huge province, when asked.

“I was all focus to the work thus we cross the bridge when we get there,” retorted by Fourth District Representative Christopher “Toff” de Venecia when this paper asked him recently if he was supporting Governor Amado I. Espino, III, former Congressman Mark Cojuangco, or Alaminos City Mayor Art Celeste.

De Venecia, however, was impressed by these luminaries.

TOFF, GUV BETS – (Clockwise from left) Pangasinan Fourth District Congressman Christopher “Toff” de Venecia,Pangasinan Governor Amado “Pogi” Espino, III, and Alaminos City Art Celeste.

He said Governor Espino has been helping him with projects in his four towns’ district.

“Si Governor Pogi is also giving a lot of programs to our municipalities. Okay kami maganda ang work relationship,” he stressed.

De Venecia cited that the reelectionist governor did not even oppose the second reading of the cityhood of the Pilgrimage town Manaoag that the solon authored in the House of Representatives.

He recalled that he met Alaminos City Mayor Celeste but could not remember it.

“I am sure we have met, I am sure we have met before. Hindi ko lang siya naka interact lately. So, I do not know. I am sure we have met but si Cong Boying parang hindi ko pa na meet”.

De Venecia said he usually sees the name of the last term congressman Jesus “Boying” Celeste at the back of the signage on his desk at his office.

“But you know what? I usually see his name every day because binigyan niya ako ng “Welcome to Pangasinan” na parang signage na which in front of my table sa content. Sa likod noon nakaharap sa akin is courtesy of Congressman Celeste”.

He failed to comment on former congressman Cojuangco whose family is a friend of the family of De Venecia.

The Liberal Party's congressman said he has no plan to change party by jumping to the PDP- Laban or join the Hugpong Pagbabago – a regional alliance founded by presidential daughter Sarah Duterte.

“Right now I am staying put with Liberal Party, “he answered whether he will join the two entities.

De Venecia cited that even he is with the L.P, an opposition party in the Senate, he is still part of the majority coalition in the House of Representatives.

The young solon was equivocal when asked if he will seek re-election  or it will be his mother former congresswoman Gina “Manay” de Venecia in case former Philippines National Police’s Chief General Art Lomibao challenge him into the 2019 election.

“Gusto ninyo ba akong tumakbo?” he posed.

He instead answered that there is so much work to do in the District than thinking whether to run or not run or whom to support for the occupant of the Capitol in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

“Andami pang mga batas na kailangan kung maipasa. I still have my Department of Culture sa Philippines Space Agency but I saw right now (inaudible) sa akin. We also have our local legislation we have on Edades Museum, and the (inaudible) pasado na sa third reading”.

As part of the 279 bills he authored and coauthored in Congress, he is the main author or co- author of the seven laws now.

Some of them are the National I.D System or the Filipino Identification System Act, Free Internet Access Act, Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, and four others.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF MY Q & A WITH SPEAKER JOE DE VENECIA ON FEDERALISM: