JDV calls for summit to discuss election
FORMER House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. wants to make sure a new president is proclaimed by June 30.
With the growing public concern about possible technical problems that could arise in the holding of a computerized poll for the first time, De Venecia has called for a summit to be attended by all political parties to discuss ways to avoid a scenario of a failed election and thus an inability to instate a new president.
De Venecia, speaking to local newsmen at his Bonuan Binloc residence in Dagupan City, said this is a real danger facing the country today.
Should there be a declaration of a failed election, the country will have a de facto emergency rule by July 1, which means a military rule will be in place and the Armed Forces will take over government.
“Not because they want to but they have no choice as there is no national civil government,” he said.
De Venecia said his proposed summit would include President Gloria Arroyo, heads of the political parties and their candidates, the Commission on Elections, Senate president, vice president, House speaker, and leaders of civil society and religious groups.
An important output of the summit is a plan to ensure a successful election in May.
“We can agree for instance whom we should elect as acting Senate president so that he will take over on July 1 so he will be the acting president,” he said.
INTERNATIONAL HELP
At the same time, De Venecia said he would call on the European Union, the United States, the United Nations and the ASEAN plus 3 (Japan, Korea and China) to help monitor the first automated election in the country.
“I want to move before it’s too late,” he said, adding that “I do not want to take any leadership role, I’m just here proposing an idea and let them take over from there”.
De Venecia, currently on his last term as 4th District representative, is not running for any position in the coming election.#
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