Gina de Venecia admits patching up with GMA

By Jennelyn Mondejar

DAGUPAN CITY– Georgina “Gina” de Venecia told local newsmen that she and President Arroyo had atched up their differences and reconciled a month ago.

“Friends na kami (We’re now friends),” De Venecia said at her family’s Bonuan Binloc residence here. “I think that’s better, to release ill feelings, all the pains.”

The De Venecias had a falling out with the Arroyos after Jose de Venecia III, son and namesake of her husband, testified in the controversial $329-million national broadband network deal with China’s ZTE Corp, accusing the First Gentleman of alleged corruption in the botched contract.

Asked if her husband, former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., has also reconciled with Ms Arroyo, she said the media should better ask him.

Later in another interview, the Pangasinan lawmaker did not categorically admit it, but said he has been in talking terms with the President.

De Venecia, who represents Pangasinan’s fourth district, served as five-time Speaker and was ousted from his post after his son exposed the NBN-ZTE scam.

Ms De Venecia said it’s better to have reconciliation “to have a new beginning.”

“You see we never know when God will take us,” she added. “I think that is the best.”

She said her friendship with Ms Arroyo is deeply rooted, as she is the wedding godmother of two of the President’s sons, Mikey and Dato.

Her husband is on his third and last term as congressman of a district of the province.