‘JDV expected to retain speakership’

Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. will likely retain his post in the next Congress, an outgoing congressman from the Visayas said yesterday.

Speaking at the weekly Balitaan sa Rembrandt Hotel in Quezon City, Biliran Rep. Gerardo Espina said the pro-administration party and its allies will still dominate the incoming 13th Congress.

"The LP has only 27 (congressmen) so they will become the minority party if they challenge De Venecia," he said.

Espina said the House of Representatives will be comprised of 93 congressmen from Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats; 56 from the Nationalist People’s Coalition; 16 from Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino; 27 from the Liberal Party and 26, party-list representatives.

Lakas may join forces with LP and some members of party-list groups and NPC to ensure that De Venecia will not be unseated, he added.

Espina said some LP members are leaking out that they might challenge De Venecia’s leadership because they are eyeing key posts in the House.

Among their possible targets are the chairmanship and membership of powerful committees like those on accounts, appointments, and electoral tribunal, he added.

LP congressmen won 27 seats in the House and their partymates have won as governors, and city and municipal mayors.

The LP is reportedly consolidating its forces to play a major role in the next local and national elections.

Earlier, De Venecia said about 170 congressmen have signed an endorsement seeking his continued leadership. An aspirant for the post needs the backing of at least 118 congressmen, he added.

Meanwhile, Espina said the failure of Congress to proclaim a president and vice president on June 30 could trigger a declaration of martial law and pave the way for a military takeover.

Espina said President Arroyo can declare martial law on the eve of June 30 without the approval of Congress, which has already adjourned on that date. — Perseus Echeminada