By Virgilio Sar. Maganes

DAGUPAN CITY — “This early, I am already receiving threats when I declared that I will run for the congressional seat in the 4th district. But nobody can (make me) cower me in fear.”

This was emphasized by Gina de Venecia, popularly known as Manay Gina and wife of former Speaker Jose de Venecia, during the Meet the Press of Pangasinan Tri-Media Association (PATRIMA) at the Jollibee Lucao where she was a guest on June 23.

She said that her decision to run for a congressional seat to be vacated by her husband was life changing and that it was done with proper consultation with municipal and barangay officials of the 4th district.

“It’s been 20 years that Joe (de Venecia) has served the people of 4th district whom I loved and I’ve chosen to be a Pangasinense,” she said adding that “it’s now the time to make changes and these should start from us. When my daughter KC died, that’s the time I realized that life is fleeting.”

When asked what will be her priority projects should she win, Manay Gina said that livelihood programs will be in her high list followed by health care and education.

On livelihood, she said that it’s now time to develop entrepreneurs and come up with a one town-one product scheme. She further said that complete dialysis machines and medicines shall be sourced out from her friends overseas to help in the health care needs of the 4th district’s constituents.The JDV Foundation will continue its scholarship program.

With regards to the constituent assembly now pending in Congress, Manay Gina said that this is a diabolical plot for PGMA to extend her term. “She should be a senior statesperson after her term as president expires.”

What will be her edge over other candidates in the 4th district?

Manay Gina said, “they will be facing the modern Urduja with new kind of leadership and governance.

For her last statement, she told the media men “to take cudgels for ourselves, gawin ang tama.”