LAMP solons keen on ousting Villar

The remaining members of the administration Lapian ng Masang Pilipino (LAMP) coalition in the House of Representatives are plotting the ouster of Speaker Manuel Villar Jr.

"We still have the numbers to unseat him next week when we resume session," Assistant Majority Leader Rodolfo Albano III (LAMP, Isabela) told reporters yesterday.

He said LAMP loyalists number at least 110, or more than a majority of the 218 House members.

Villar, who led a group of 47 LAMP members that bolted the ruling party last Friday, is unfazed by the move of the remaining LAMP congressmen to oust him.

He said what is important to him and those supporting him at this time is to expedite the process of impeaching President Estrada.

He said he is confident the greater number of House members, now comprising the emerging new majority bloc in the chamber, is behind him.

Rep. Eleandro Madrona of Romblon, one of Villar’s leaders, said the Speaker’s supporters number at least 130.

He said the minority and Villar’s group of independents have 87 members between them.

"We draw additional support from the other political groups," he added.

The 40-member opposition led by Minority Leader Feliciano Belmonte Jr. (Lakas, Quezon City), whose members were among the initiators and endorsers of the impeachment complaint against the President, is supporting Villar.

Belmonte said they would prefer a status quo until the campaign for the May 2001 elections starts in three to four months.

Congressmen plotting to oust the Speaker met Sunday in a hotel in downtown Manila. About 40 congressmen attended the meeting. Among them was Rep. Danilo Suarez (LAMP, Quezon), who is aspiring for the speakership.

However, Albano said most LAMP loyalists would prefer Rep. Gilberto Duavit of Rizal or Deputy Speaker Daisy Fuentes of South Cotabato to succeed Villar.

He said Senior Deputy Majority Leader Bellaflor Angara Castillo is being eyed to replace Majority Leader Eduardo Gullas who joined Villar’s group in bolting LAMP.

Over the weekend, Suarez claimed that Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo has deserted the Speaker’s group and moved over to the side of the loyalists.

Floirendo, however, clarified that he is sticking it out with Villar.