MANILA, Philippines \u2013 Joey de Venecia III, son of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., has withdrawn from the senatorial race in 2013 to pursue \u201cimmediate business endeavors.\u201d
\n\u201cI have made a choice,\u201d he said in a statement on Monday.
\nThe young de Venecia said his efforts in business \u201cthat have resulted to substantial and wide-reaching investment agreements in BPO, call center, technology and other sectors\u201d would be delayed if he seeks a seat in the Senate next year.
\n\u201cI have therefore decided not to run for the Senate in 2013,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cInstead, 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,\u201d he said.
\nBut the young de Venecia hinted that he would still pursue his senatorial bid in the future, saying public service was part of his life\u2019s mission.
\n\u201cMy time in the Philippine Senate will come. It is clear to me that public service is part of my life\u2019s 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,\u201d he added. With a report from Cathy Yamsuan, Philippine Daily Inquirer<\/p>\n