LP members in House reunite, declare support for JDV

The 34-member Liberal Party bloc in the House of Representatives decided yesterday to support the leadership of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr.

The LP is the third biggest group in the House after the ruling Lakas and the Nationalist People’s Coalition to throw its support behind De Venecia in the face of a challenge from Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. who has been campaigning among his colleagues to replace his House boss.

Together, the combined membership of the three parties comprise more than a majority of the 236-member House. Thus, their separate decisions to back De Venecia doom Pichay’s ambition to become Speaker.

Rep. Junie Cua of Quirino, who belongs to the LP, said his party mates, half of whom supported the recent impeachment move against President Arroyo, decided to unify themselves and to rally behind the incumbent Speaker.

He said they wanted to strengthen their bloc, which is led by Deputy Speaker Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino lll, who was among LP members who were for impeaching Mrs. Arroyo.

"To demonstrate our firm decision to unite, the entire LP contingent reaffirmed our support for Speaker De Venecia’s strong leadership — guided by our vision to bring good governance and stability to the country," said Cua, the LP vice president for external affairs, and another pro-impeachment LP member, Rep. Antonino Roman.

Cua was among those who remained loyal to Mrs. Arroyo. Last July 8, the LP, led by Senate President Franklin Drilon, took a stand calling for the President’s resignation and for her impeachment if she refused to resign.

On Sept. 6, the House overwhelmingly voted to throw out all three impeachment complaints against Mrs. Arroyo. The controversial vote is now under question in the Supreme Court.

Cua said the decision of LP members to reconcile was based on mutual respect for each other’s principles.

"The pro-impeachment members are not surrendering their principles and the anti-impeachment members are fully aware of this as the basis for our reunification," he said.

Pichay asserts that he has not launched his bid to replace De Venecia, but his colleagues, including Majority Leader Prospero Nograles, claim that the "challenger" has been visiting them to solicit their votes.

Pichay’s reported bid has sparked a word war between him and his House boss. De Venecia had described his challenger as "too ambitious," while Pichay has told the incumbent that something is wrong with his leadership.