The Pangasinan Star ONLINE

WINDOWS
Gabriel L. Cardinoza

THAT Rachel Arenas, unica hija of socialite and philanthropist Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas, is joining the congressional race in the province’s third district in 2007 is now certain as the sun rising in the East.

At least this was what Rachel and her mom wanted Pangasinenses to know when they called a news conference at the Pangasinan Regency Hotel in Calasiao town last Wednesday. The mother and daughter team were on their way that night to the Dagupan City High School alumni homecoming at the Dagupan City plaza were Rachel was guest of honor.

In her opening statement, Rachel flaunted her credential as a fresh Harvard graduate and her refusal to work in the United Nations despite many offers just to come home to Malasiqui to fulfill a promise “to serve the people.”

She was straightforward in her answers to our questions. Asked what she thought was her advantage over other congressional contenders in the district, she said: “I think I am very much more capable, much more intelligent than other people in the Congress.”

From what we have gathered, the other prospective candidates in the congressional seat, which will be vacated by Rep. Gener Tulagan, includes Bayambang Mayor Leo de Vera, police general Reynaldo Velasco, and Tulagan’s only son, Jun. Gener is the first congressman in the district to complete the three consecutive three-year-term limit.

But what made the news conference exciting was Rachel’s mother’s tirades against Tulagan. Although she did not name him, she always asked, “Did your Congressman address that?” referring to an array of concerns ranging from micro-financing to health services to electrification of her mango farm in Barangay Nancapian in Malasiqui town (where she is now building her house) that she said continues to put the people in a more difficult situation.

Seeing her talk in rapid fire fashion reminded me of a press conference in Dagupan City about 10 years ago when she castigated then sixth district Rep. Ranjit Shahani for wanting to get an endorsement for governor from then President Fidel Ramos. “We should not allow political dynasties. This was what we promised to the people during the campaign,” Arenas barked then.

What ensued was a bitter word war between Ranjit’s mother, then Sen. Letecia Ramos-Shahani and Baby A. As expected, in the end, Ranjit did not get FVR’s anointment (then first district Rep. Oscar Orbos got it and was eventually elected governor) and Ranjit had no choice but to run for reelection.

And this may soon be history repeating itself because a day after the mother and daughter news conference, Gener told Arenas in an interview: “Stop politicking because it’s still too early.”

Gener was emphatic in saying that he would not have been elected three consecutive terms if he has not been doing his work in the district. “Patawarin na lang natin sila kasi di nila alam ang sinasabi nila. Parang nananaginip sila (Let’s just forgive them because they know not what they are saying. They seem to be dreaming),” Gener said.

We expect an answer from the Arenases soon. But as it is now, a word war has begun between the two camps. That police general Reynaldo Velasco has his own tirades against Gener is a different story. Leo, for his part, has been very silent, maybe not wanting to antagonize anyone at the moment. At least, not yet.

To everyone, Happy New Year!