A multi-party, pro-administration coalition backing re-elected Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia continues to dominate the congressional race, paving the way for a massive majority in the House of Representatives and assuring the Speaker of an unprecedented fifth term.
As of yesterday's tally, the dominant party Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, which leads the coalition, has won at least 92 congressional races, the most by any of the major political parties in the House. The Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) announced it would not field a candidate for Speaker, ensuring De Venecia of another term as leader of the House when the 14th Congress convenes in July. In a statement of support for De Venecia yesterday Kampi said, based on consultations with its winning congressional candidates, that De Venecia is the party's unanimous candidate for the post.
Kampi, led by Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, is the second largest party in the House supporting the Arroyo administration, next to the ruling Lakas-CMD whose president is De Venecia. Kampi has 48 elected congressmen and is the only party big enough to mount a credible challenge to De Venecia as House speaker.
The Nationalist People's Coalition has 30; the Liberal Party has 21; the LDP has four; and the PDSP has 3. "There will be a unified Congress under the leadership of Speaker De Venecia," Kampi said in its statement that was presented to De Venecia yesterday by a group of Kampi congressmen.
Re-elected Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, who is Kampi chairman for Region VI, said De Venecia's reelection as Speaker "will ensure continuity in the House leadership and continuing support of the House to the pro-poor, pro-modernization and pro-economic development agenda of President Arroyo."
Before the election campaign started in February, there were speculations that Kampi would challenge De Venecia for the top House post, since the Puno group fielded its own congressional candidates against Lakas bets in many districts nationwide. Besides Kampi, other political parties represented in the House have endorsed the continued leadership of De Venecia. These include the NPC led by Reps. Jack Duavit of Rizal and Mark Cojuangco of Pangasinan, a Liberal Party faction headed by Deputy Speaker Eric Singson and the PDP-Laban bloc led by Makati Rep. Teodoro Locsin Jr.
The House will elect its officers when the 14th Congress convenes on July 23. The fight for the position of majority leader will be more interesting than the contest for the top House post. Newly elected Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales II is expected to challenge incumbent Majority Leader Prospero Nograles of Davao.
May 23, 2007
Philippine Star
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