Joey de Venecia to stay with PMP beyond May polls

MANILA, Philippines - Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) senatorial candidate Jose “Joey” de Venecia III yesterday said he will stay with his party beyond the May 10 elections.

There were speculations that Joey is transferring to the administration party Lakas-Kampi-CMD after its co-founder former President Fidel Ramos endorsed his candidacy. His father former House speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. founded Lakas.

PMP standard-bearer former President Joseph Estrada defeated the elder De Venecia in the 1998 presidential elections.

“I’m sticking it out with the PMP. The PMP and the Lakas-CMD have much in common,” De Venecia said.

De Venecia is a newcomer in politics, his only political experience being his volunteer work in his father’s presidential campaign in 1998.