Grateful Manay Gina

MANILA, Philippines - Re-elected Pangasinan fourth district Rep. Gina de Venecia has many things to be thankful for after the recent mid-term elections.

With President Aquino.

Manay Gina claimed a 92-percent landslide victory in Mangaldan, San Fabian, San Jacinto and Manaoag, Pangasinan and a 75-percent triumph in Dagupan City. She thanked the Blessed Virgin Mary of Manaoag for the largely peaceful elections in the province. On her second landslide victory, she also thanked her constituents for giving her another term to serve them.

She also expressed her gratitude to President Benigno Aquino III for immediately responding to the request she and new Dagupan City Mayor-elect Belen Fernandez made for an extended seawall to protect northwestern Dagupan and the Bonuan Boquig, Bonuan Binloc areas from flooding.

She said strong legislation with pragmatic provisions is needed to stop or reduce money politics in the Philippines, and reintroduce the movement for state subsidy for political parties. This move, she said, was first initiated by her husband, former House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., who is trying to promote it in Asia to reduce political corruption.

She added a new reform law should give competent but poor candidates a chance to participate and win in elections.