Joey de Venecia backs out from 2013 polls

Joey de Venecia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Joey de Venecia III, son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., has withdrawn from  the  senatorial race in 2013 to pursue “immediate  business endeavors.”

“I have made a choice,” he said in a statement on Monday.

The young de Venecia said his efforts in business “that have resulted to substantial and wide-reaching investment agreements in BPO, call center, technology and other sectors” would be delayed  if he seeks a seat in the Senate next year.

“I have therefore decided not to run for the Senate in 2013,” he said.

“Instead, I will pursue these immediate business endeavors bringing investments and jobs to our country. In so doing, I shall have achieved through business what I will only begin achieving through the Senate,” he said.

But the young de Venecia hinted that he would still pursue his senatorial bid in the future, saying public service  was part of his life’s mission.

“My time in the Philippine Senate will come. It is clear to me that public service is part of my life’s mission. I will continue to work for the prosperity of as many Filipinos as possible  and at the appropriate time in the future prepare myself for the Senate,” he added.

He was one of the first candidates named by the United Alliance (UNA) in its senatorial ticket in 2012. UNA is the new coalition formed between Vice President  Jejomar Binay’s PDP-Laban and  former President Joseph Estrada’s Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino.

UNA  secretary general and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco said he was informed about the young de Venecia’s decision only at 6am this Monday or two hours before the start of the filing of certificates of  candidacy.

With a report from Cathy Yamsuan, Philippine Daily Inquirer