‘WATCH your tongue, bud!’

This, in essence, is the first pre-campaign salvo fired Thursday by Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. at Mayor Benjamin S. Lim, his would-be opponent in the fourth district of Pangasinan, a full week to go before the deadline for filing of candidacies.

De Venecia issued the call after learning that Dagupan City Mayor Benjamin Lim had been spreading stories on alleged deals put forward by the Speaker to make the mayor abandon his plan to run for congressman.

“There’s no such thing, said De Venecia,” said, referring to alleged buy-out negotiations with Lim. He urged Lim to now run to find out the better man between the two of them, instead of resorting to rumor-mongering.

“Let him run. There is democracy in the country,” De Venecia said, downplaying Lim’s insinuations of him trying to cut a deal to ensure that Lim will no longer run against him.

“I’m very confident of my big accomplishment in the district. So, why should I make any offer to anybody in order that my possible opponent will not run? De Venecia said.

Calling on his would-be opponent to think of a more convincing gimmick than just spreading intrigues, De Venecia asked Lim to better watch what he is saying otherwise these might boomerang on him.

The De Venecia camp, a source said was not surprised at all by this antic, as they believe Lim is completely capable of such “dirty, cheap political gimmicks”, to boost his stock.
Roman Baldovino, a de Venecia spokesman, told the Pangasinan Star the Speaker’s campaign will “take the higher moral ground,” instead of maligning rivals.

Lim earlier indicated he will challenge the Speaker but at the same time seemed undecided on whether to run for congressman in the fourth district, seek reelection as mayor, or not run at all.

Maintaining his cool despite pressures, De Venecia advised Lim to face this political battle with a mature mind so as not to unduly confuse the electorate.

At the same time, De Venecia lauded former Philippine National Police Chief Arturo Lomibao for backing out in his earlier reported bid to join the fourth district congressional derby.

Other politicians, De Venecia added, should emulate Lomibao’s example in order to preserve unity in the province.