Friday, March 07, 2008
JDV leaves Lakas presidency (8:00 p.m.)
MANILA -- Ousted Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. has already relinquished his post as party president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) but warned President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that former President Fidel Ramos and other top officials might leave her soon.
“(It will be) sooner than later I think,” de Venecia said when asked when he expects Ramos and other high-ranking officials to break away from the administration.
The former Speaker met with the Lakas executive committee at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City to discuss his removal as party president on Monday when the party holds a national directorate meeting in Manila.
Those who attended the meeting were Ramos, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Gabriel Claudio, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, former senator Heherson Alvarez, and Parañaque Representative Eduardo Zialcita, a trusted ally of de Venecia.
De Venecia's decision has paved the way for the assumption of Speaker Prospero Nograles as Lakas president. (WV/Sunnex) |
