Wednesday, June 13, 2007 Nalzaro: Pabling’s uphill battle By Bobby Nalzaro Saksi
THE dream of second district congressman-elect Pablo Garcia to become the next House Speaker is difficult to realize. He is facing the formidable Jose de Venecia who has been Speaker for quite a time.
De Venecia got the post in 1992 when Fidel Ramos was president. He faded away from politics after his defeat to Joseph Estrada in the presidential race.
But he revived his political career in 2001 and was subsequently elected Speaker again when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became president after Estrada was ousted by Edsa 2. He is still holding that post now.
Garcia, meanwhile, can be considered a pioneer in the House. He served as congressman from 1988 to 1992, representing the third district of the province. His long absence from the House, however, has been viewed as an obstacle to his aspiration as the said legislature is now dominated by new faces. Most of Garcia's contemporaries in the ‘90s are no longer around.
In the race for House Speaker, Noy Pabling is an underdog. He has to work overtime to convince his colleagues to support his bid. De Venecia, on the other hand, is supported by many. He is an incumbent and most of his previous allies have been reelected. He can promise them their previous positions, like committee chairmanships. He can also lure newcomers to his side by offering them memberships and chairmanships in vital standing committees, plus other perks.
The House Speaker has huge discretionary funds. A House insider said a Speaker can use these funds to buy votes for his reelection. Noy Pabling does not have that much money at his disposal. He can only make promises.
De Venecia, on the other hand, can already give whatever Pabling may promise. And he even has the support of some Cebuano congressmen.
Asked what prodded him to run for Speaker, Noy Pabling said he wants to change the image of the House that was shattered by de Venecia's personal ambition. Garcia accused de Venecia of targeting the post of Prime Minister under a new system of government. Last year, de Venecia pushed for Charter Change through a Constituent Assembly so the system of government will be changed from presidential to parliamentary/unicameral. The move was aborted.
We cannot question Noy Pabling’s qualifications. But this fight is not about argumentation and debate but about money and influence. Can he break the “Old Boys Club” in the House? I doubt it.
