JDV told to prove allegations

MANILA, Philippines - Former House speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. was dared yesterday to show his basis for blocking the merger of President Arroyo’s party, Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) with the pro-administration Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD).

De Venecia co-founded Lakas-CMD with then Defense Secretary Fidel Ramos before the 1992 presidential elections.

Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said Kampi, which he chaired, had followed all the procedures before merging with Lakas-CMD.

“I think if he has any sound basis to question the merger, he should present it before the Commission on Elections and all of us are subject to rules of the Comelec,” he said.

“On the part of Kampi, I can assure all of you that everything has been followed in terms of procedures.

“Now if the former speaker believes that Lakas did not, that is his issue with his former partymates and the Comelec.”

He does not know if De Venecia is still a member of Lakas because his wife Gina is apparently running in the opposition ticket, Puno said.

Calbayog City Mayor Mel Senen Sarmiento said De Venecia has abandoned Lakas, which he claims to represent.

“It is fair and just to state that JDV has lost the legal personality and the moral standing to question the merger,” he said.

Sarmiento said De Venecia has been publicly supporting issues raised by the opposition and has constantly attacked the party’s officials and its policies.

“JDV is mixing up his politics,” he said.

“He endorses a presidential opposition candidate one day and then wants to meddle in the internal affairs of the ruling party the next day.”

De Venecia might suffer the greater tragedy of losing the trust of everyone, even the political opposition, Sarmiento said.

In Santiago City, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri called yesterday on his Lakas-CMD-Kampi party mates in Isabela to strengthen their ranks and remain steadfast with Mrs. Arroyo and the party.

“Stay the course, (let us) be together and hopefully with the unified party, with 70 percent of the elected posts from barangay level up to governorship, that would be a big edge (over our opponents) for us to maintain political supremacy,” he said. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Charlie Lagasca