Allies confident JDV will win the race for speakership

The last thing the House needs is a “company union in Congress,” Majority Leader Prospero Nograles said Tuesday on the matter of the race for speakership in the House of Representatives.

Nograles issued this statement after more than 165 lawmakers from the Majority Coalition signed a declaration of “wholehearted and militant” support for Speaker Jose de Venecia in his bid for a record fifth term.

Only 123 votes are needed to win the speakership. De Venecia had earlier won the speakership in 2001 and in 2004.

“The race for the speakership may be over,” said Rep. Ed Zialcita, senior leader of the Metro Manila caucus of 21 congressmen.

Deputy Speaker Eric Singson of the Liberal Party-Atienza Wing said 20 LP lawmakers already signed for Speaker de Venecia, while a few remaining LPs are “still in consultation with party leaders.”

“In all aspects of counting, I am convinced that Speaker de Venecia will definitely win,” Singson said.

Nograles was reacting to reports that a few ruling coalition members like Kampi’s Pablo Garcia of Cebu, former President Fidel Ramos’ executive secretary Edelmiro Amante and Quezon City’s Mary Ann Susano have thrown their hats into the speakership fight.

Cagayan de Oro congressman-elect Rufus Rodriguez, legal counsel of deposed President Joseph Estrada, is the only challenger so far from the united opposition.

“What will happen if the true opposition group is relegated by the group still allied with the President? This is like a company union,” Nograles said.

“Speaker de Venecia deserves his fifth term based on performance and proven leadership especially during crisis,” Nograles added.

De Venecia has repeatedly said he welcomed “any and all challengers” but would prefer to tangle with a leader of the “true opposition” to protect the integrity of the “constitutionally enshrined check and balance in Congress, the highest policy-making body of the Republic of the Philippines.”

“I hope my distinguished colleagues will think about this very important issue. We have to protect the integrity of our democratic institution. What we need to do is to unite for the sake of our people,” de Venecia said.

Nograles said only de Venecia has a clear legislative agenda for the 14th Congress which the Speaker presented to President Arroyo last week in Malacanang with leaders and members of the majority coalition who already endorsed him.