Thursday, August 09, 2007 Pabling gets House committee top post
RECONCILIATION between the group of Rep. Pablo Garcia and Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. has started with the Cebuano congressman’s appointment as chairman of the House committee on revision of laws.
Garcia (Cebu, second district) ran but lost to de Venecia of Pangasinan for speaker of the House of Representatives.
Following the chaotic elections last July 23, Garcia led the formation of an independent bloc at the Lower House.
He has also said he will not be a chairman or vice chairman of any committee and he will just be an ordinary member.
Reconciliation
But he admitted last night that de Venecia has reached out to their group and that there were negotiations for reconciliation.
Aside from Garcia’s appointment, the neophyte congressmen in his group will also be given vice chairmanship positions.
Garcia said they have agreed with the reconciliation because they do not want to be identified with the anti-administration people.
Unity
This development has, in effect, united all congressmen allied with President Arroyo.
Garcia also said that de Venecia has again offered him to be the Philippine representative to the United Nations.
He has turned down this offer but with de Venecia offering it again, Garcia said his group will discuss it again whether he will accept it this time. (MBG)
