MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Rep. Rachel Arenas of the third district of Pangasinan admitted it pained her so much when she registered a “yes” vote on a House resolution seeking the ouster of Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr.

She said in an interview last Friday that, being treated like a daughter by De Venecia and his wife Gina, she could have voted the other way around.

But Arenas revealed she could not do otherwise because she followed the dictate of their party.

The other Pangasinan congressmen who voted for the resolution were Reps. Arthur Celeste of the first district, Conrado Estrella III of the sixth district and the latter’s brother, partylist congressman Robert Estrella, Jr. of Abono.

Rep. Victor Agbayani of the second district, a long-time ally of De Venecia was the lone congressman from Pangasinan who voted “no” to the resolution. On the other hand, Rep. Mark Cojuangco of the fifth district abstained.

Arenas admitted that she was affected by insinuations that she turned her back on a partymate and one who welcomed her to the fold of Lakas CMD.

But she said there were other considerations beyond her personal relationship with the De Venecias that she should go along with the tide.

She pointed out that apart from the party decision, another reason for her is that she was after the welfare of her constituents in the third district.

“I believe that most of us voted what is good for our district and constituents,” she said.

However, before the showdown in Congress, Arenas was seen more often in the company of President Gloria Macapagal Arryo whether on a State Visit abroad or in her visits to the provinces.

At the same time, Arenas denied the malicious insinuation that money changed hands during the voting that ousted Speaker de Venecia and installed Davao Rep. Prospero Nograles as the next Speaker.

“There was no money involved,” Arenas said, pointing out that the malicious insinuation being spread around has no basis. (PNA)