Wednesday, May 16, 2007 Iggy is next House Speaker? By Erwin Ambo S. Delilan
REPRESENTATIVE Ignacio "Iggy" Arroyo, Jr. (5th District, Negros Occidental) refused to confirm Tuesday talks circulating in Bacolod and Negros Occidental that he will be the next Speaker of the House of the next Congress.
A source privy to the political negotiation told Sun.Star that since the solon is now leading a wide margin over his rival, comebacking congressman Jose Apolinario "Jun" Lozada, Jr., then it will be a dream come true for Arroyo to become the next Speaker of the House.
A source added that there was already an agreement made between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and House Speaker Jose De Venecia that after the 2007 elections, the latter should relinquish his post to Congressman Arroyo.
But Arroyo said, "For now, I am happy because I am confident of my present lead over Lozada. To be the next Speaker of the House is another story."
Latest results from the 5th District showed that Arroyo is a sure winner in the towns of Moises Padilla, Isabela, Hinigaran, Binalbagan and Himamaylan City.
In La Castellana, however, the battle between the incumbent solon and Lozada remains neck-the-neck.
"I'm sure now that I will win again. Thank you to all barangay chief, sugar planters, barangay leaders, mayors, among others who gave me the second mandate to serve the people of the 5th District, " Arroyo said.
