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Monday, June 18, 2007
De Venecia confident of winning House speakership race
DAGUPAN CITY -- With 167 confirmed and signed commitments from the new set of members of the House of Representatives, House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said the number is more than enough for him to get reelected into the House top post.
"All you need is 124 out of the 244 or 245 elected congressmen, including the party-list representatives. We have to give network of political supporters. It's an overwhelming majority," de Venecia said in a recent interview.
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"My 167 committed signatures are from the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi) led by Local Government Secretary Ronnie Puno and Negros Occidental Representative Iggy Arroyo, Liberal Party led by House Deputy Speaker Eric Singson, Nationalist People's Coalition led by Representative Jack Duavit, Nacionalista Party led by Cavite Representative Crispin Remulla and PDP Laban (even if some of them are with the opposition) led by Makati Representative Teddy Boy Locsin. I also have the support of more than 12 party-list congressmen," he said.
Of the Cebuano congressmen, de Venecia said he has the support of House Deputy Speaker Raul del Mar and Representatives Tony Cuenco, Fred Durano and Ed Diaz.
"I have a great deal of respect for Representative-elect Pablo Garcia and for my friend Leo Villafuerte. But on the basis of party configurations, we have the overwhelming support of the newly elected congressmen," he said.
De Venecia is eyeing the House speakership for the fifth time. He was reelected congressman in Pangasinan's fourth district in the last May 14 elections.
Asked about the alleged revival of Charter change, de Venecia said there should be a moratorium on the issue at the moment.
"I am totally committed to Charter change, but let us concentrate first on the economy. We must devote the next few months to a total mobilization program to consolidate the gains of the economy under the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Otherwise, we will have again a short period of boom then we will have another bust," he explained. (LCMY/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Pampanga. (June 18, 2007 issue)
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