Three House leaders solidly behind Speaker

Three House leaders denied yesterday that there is an "incipient mutiny" in the chamber, saying they are solidly behind the leadership of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

In a joint statement, Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II and Deputy Majority Leader Juan Pablo Bondoc said speculations that there is trouble brewing in the House were without basis.

"We disown the alleged mutiny and reaffirm our unqualified and unwavering support for Speaker de Venecia’s leadership," they said.

In a separate statement, Rep. Gilbert Teodoro of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) admitted disagreements often arise in the House but they are "settled speedily and amicably, in the spirit of true cooperation."

The Tarlac congressman and NPC executive committee chairman added: "The NPC is fully supporting the House leadership from the Speaker, the Majority Leader and all other House officials."

The NPC, key to De Venecia’s "Sunshine Coalition," is the second biggest bloc in the House.

The Speaker’s "experience, logic and clear vision of what is right for the country" steered the House last week into approving the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, Gonzales and Bondoc said.

President Arroyo signed Republic Act 9160 into law on Saturday, beating a deadline set by an international watchdog against money laundering.

To obviate possible fireworks between Gonzales and another deputy majority leader, Francis Escudero, De Venecia sidelined the two floor leaders for one week.

The House boss feared that such fireworks could delay the approval of the anti-dirty money bill.

In place of Gonzales and Escudero, De Venecia asked Bondoc to take over the floor leader’s job in the meantime. But on Wednesday, Bondoc, too, was sidelined upon the protest of Rep. Raul Villareal of Nueva Ecija.

Villareal is blaming Bondoc for the Nueva Ecija congressman’s failure to get a committee vice chairmanship. Bondoc was part of a screening panel for committee posts. The two both belong to the NPC.

Gonzales told radio station dzRH yesterday that their being taken out of the floor leader’s job was a "voluntary act" on their part.