House sets vote of confidence

Congressmen belonging to the administration Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP) are set to give their embattled party boss, President Estrada, a vote of confidence.

The vote is contained in a resolution that Rep. Danilo Suarez (LAMP, Quezon), chairman of the House ways and means committee, is now circulating among coalition members for their signatures.

Suarez told reporters yesterday that more than 80 LAMP congressmen have already signed the resolution.

He said he would collect at least 160 signatures, about two-thirds of the 218 members of the House of Representatives.

That would be more than enough to defeat the initiative of the opposition and people’s organizations to impeach the President, he said.

As for the claims of opposition congressmen that they could have 73 votes to send the planned impeachment complaint directly to the Senate for trial, Suarez said: "Show us their signatures."

Last Friday, Assistant Majority Leader Rodolfo Albano III (LAMP, Isabela) expressed doubts whether those planning to file the petition could gather 73 signatures.

He said so far, only one congressman has bolted LAMP, and that he did not see any more desertions taking place.

Deputy Minority Leader Sergio Apostol (Lakas, Leyte) belittled Suarez’s move.

"He’s not really soliciting support for his embattled boss. He is campaigning for the speakership," he said.

The Quezon congressman has made public his ambition to succeed Speaker Manuel Villar Jr. who is hoping to be in LAMP’s senatorial slate in next year’s elections.

House sources said Suarez is promising fund releases to those signing his resolution.

Aside from pushing the measure, he told reporters that his committee will soon endorse for approval by the entire House a bill that seeks to legalize jueteng.

His plan immediately drew a howl of protest from the minority.

Assistant Minority Leader Oscar Moreno (Lakas, Misamis Oriental) said Suarez’s move is contrary to the President’s announcement that government will withdraw from all forms of gambling.

"Gambling is immoral because it develops and feeds the wrong values. Gambling destroys a person’s moral fiber, and its pernicious effects to society cannot be overemphasized. All forms of gambling should be scrapped," Moreno said.

He shared his colleagues’ call for the abolition of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Under Suarez’s jueteng legalization plan, Pagcor would supervise and monitor the conduct of jueteng throughout the country.

Jueteng franchises would be awarded through public bidding on the basis of existing congressional districts.

The Quezon congressman said if jueteng is legalized, many congressmen and local officials may quit public office and opt to be jueteng operators.