Even as he admitted the popularity of movie actor Fernando Poe Jr. who is running under the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino (KNP) banner, De Venecia said President Arroyo still has the edge.
"FPJ (Poe) is very popular, he is a phenomenon. It’s going to be a close fight, but... I believe that it will be experience and leadership and wisdom that will win in the end," De Venecia said.
De Venecia made the statement even after leaders of the ruling party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats noted that some of their members are already moving to other camps in an effort to sustain their political careers at the local level.
Some local party leaders are reportedly campaigning discreetly and supporting the opposition camp.
"We will see," De Venecia warned. "We will have a strong monitoring for them in the coming weeks. The campaign period for the local officials is yet to start on March 25."
Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano said the defection of some party members to the opposition will not affect Lakas.
"Their decision to support the other camp justifies the need for Lakas to distance itself from those without selfless commitment and dedication to the party’s welfare and for the greater good," Albano said.
Albano cited the move made by Lakas members led by former Ifugao congressman Gualberto Lumauig, who joined the camp of former education secretary Raul Roco of the Alyansa ng Pagasa.
Lumauig jumped over to Roco after failing to get the party nod to run in his district under the party’s equity of the incumbent rule.
Albano added Lumauig’s defection to the Roco camp will have no bearing on Mrs. Arroyo’s candidacy since the former Ifugao lawmaker has lost influence in his congressional district during his long absence from the political scene.
Lakas leaders also downplayed the rousing welcome made by Pangasinan party leaders for Poe last Thursday.
De Venecia said local Lakas leaders "were just showing their hospitality to a son of Pangasinan," referring to Poe who is a native of San Carlos City.
"You know if FPJ will go to Bonuan area (here), I will go out personally to welcome him," he said.
De Venecia said Vice Gov. Oscar Lambino, acting provincial Lakas chairman, was among those who welcomed Poe. He said Lambino even sought his permission to welcome the actor.
"Mabuti naman at ipinakita natin ang hospitality natin kay FPJ because he is a good man and he is also a son of Pangasinan like President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (It’s good that we showed our hospitality to FPJ," he said.
Political observers here said the warm welcome accorded to Poe may indicate Mrs. Arroyo may not get a solid vote from this province.
De Venecia dismissed the observations, saying a rousing welcome for a candidate does not translate into votes.
De Venecia said Filipino voters have wisened up. "They get carried away by popularity but when they go to the (polling) booth and they search their conscience, they will vote for the right person," he said.
He said there are only two kinds of voters – one for the administration voting for Mrs. Arroyo and the anti-administration – whose votes will be distributed among Poe, Roco and Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
On the issue of Poe’s probable disqualification, De Venecia said he is hoping that the actor will not be disqualified from the presidential race "because it will be very difficult to replace him (Poe) and the opposition will be in a mess."
"So if FPJ is technically knocked down for any reason whatsoever, then the beneficiaries would be Roco or mainly Lacson. That’s the reason I believe why Lacson is not withdrawing," De Venecia said.
The House leader said Mrs. Arroyo is the only candidate to beat in the May polls.
"President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo speaks Ilocano and Pangasinan, she is the only presidential candidate who speaks Ilocano and Pangasinan and she also speaks Cebuano and Ilonggo and Kapampangan dialects," De Venecia said.
He added that the strong alliance between the Nationalist People’s Coalition with Lakas, the declaration of support to Mrs. Arroyo by the Liberal Party and Nacionalista Party, and the Muslim votes are several of the major factors that will ensure the victory of Mrs. Arroyo in May. — With Eva Visperas