Arenas' son to run in Iloilo

ILOILO CITY , Philippines  – The son of socialite Rosemarie ‘Baby A’ Arenas will face the Syjucos in the battle for the congressional seat of the second district of Iloilo province.

Arenas made the announcement at a so-called acquaintance party with political figures and local leaders from the second district at a hotel here yesterday.

The STAR attempted to reach Secretary Augusto Syjuco, the husband of 2nd district Rep. Judy Syjuco, for their reaction, but the call went unanswered.

Arenas likened herself and son, Ramon, to Freddie Roach and Manny Pacquiao.

“My son is Manny Pacquiao, and I am Freddie Roach,” she said. “So the fighter always obeys what the coach says,” she added.

“So it will be a KO on election day,” Arenas boasted.

She emphasized, though, that it will be her son, Ramon, who will be calling the shots.

“I’m just like Danding (Conjuangco), who is a kingmaker,” she said.

Ramon, who is with the Nationalist People’s Coalition, said he will be filing his certificate of candidacy on Nov. 28, after they shall have finished consulting the people of the second district.

His sister, Rachel, is currently the representative of Pangasinan’s 3rd district. His mother said they will focus on health, education and livelihood.

Arenas admitted that they will be going against a politically-entrenched clan of the Syjucos, who, like them, have more than enough financial means to wage a political campaign.   – Ronilo Ladrido Pamonag