Think about it
Speakership
By Jun Velasco
WE in the Fourth District of Pangasinan are still held in suspense three weeks after the nerve-wracking elections because of the House Speakership fight involving our Congressman-elect Jose de Venecia Jr.
Most of you, we’re sure- would dismiss the speakership fight as anti climactic given the closeness of Speaker Joe to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, his role in blocking the impeachment, etcetera, etcetera…
But no, in our view the issue should be a lively one, as it’s turning out to be the country’s latest suspense thriller.
Now fighting for his 5th term as speaker, JDV should welcome the contest to allow his House colleagues for the nth time to know that he deserves their mandate once more, probably with feeling this time.
In this sense, electing or selecting the next speaker isn’t just a case of political patronage — but a test of will between those who are for the present speaker and those who are bandying the word “chamber change” thru their mouthpiece, Bicol Congressman Louie Villafuerte, who is rooting for Congressman Pablo Garcia from Cebu.
The debate should also signal a re-examination of the House as a political institution of our over-politicized country before and during the full four terms of Speaker de Venecia so that, as Louie Villafuerte has been salivating, the new congress will vote for the speaker it really wants.
The House, we heard, has about 90 new members who find the debate a beautiful learning experience like getting-to-know-you sort of thing. We who know the two protagonists well enough, find the contest as favoring by a mile the present and longest-serving Speaker.
We had worked under then Governor Pablo Garcia as the padre de pamilya of the owners of the Sun Star chain in which we were the first editor of the Sun Star Pangasinan Daily. We know full well that Don Pablo Garcia, father of our friends Sonny, Alvin and GSIS president Winston, is one of the most durable men in the country.
But at his age of 80, we hasten to say that he may not last three months in the saddle, assuming Louie Villafuerte will have his way, because of Congress’ hellish character.
If you have listened well and read through the declarations of the pro-Garcia congressmen, you’d surely get a freshie’s viewpoint of a congress utopia that can’t land in a world of reality. We don’t know what drove Louie Villafuerte to push an old man to the snake pit.
It should be a fair warning to Villafuerte that the drama could be harmful to Don Pablo’s health, as it is not easy to run for congress, and even foolhardy to run for speaker.
At 70, JDV seems to relish being in a fight of the young and stout-hearted. We recently saw him on the campaign trail literally running under the noon day sun for 60 days, not only to get the votes of the district, but also to untangle party problems of Lakas amidst whining and grumbling candidates from Batanes to Sulu.
Pablo Garcia didn’t even have that kind of political baptism in all his political life in Cebu.
But, if in the remote possibility that Don Pablo could bag the speakership by a miracle (who knows?), the grand old man of Cebu should be man enough to nominate Joe de V as speaker emeritus, and our man would not decline.
Alas, to do that, we have to amend the constitution.
* * *
What bears watching in Pangasinan politics is how lady Congresswoman-elect Rachel Arenas would fare in the House. She beat big guns in well entrenched political families – the Sorianos, Tulagans and De Veras.
A story is told that it was the ghost of former Mayor Jolly Resuello that guided the hands which wrote her name on the ballot. A few days before the elections, the name that stood out in the surveys was Gallant Soriano.
With her mother the very popular Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas as her guardian angel, Rachel should find her new role in life easy. The ma is a baby with very powerful connections.
* * *
NOTES: Our friend USEC Bebot Villar got another post that fits him to a T, anti smuggling czar of the country. Gifted with excellent PR and massive connections, our man from Sto. Tomas should surround himself with the best and the brightest for an efficient and effective task force. Congratulations!!! It is unlawful for just any tricycle operator or driver to throw away any city hall permit granted by the outgoing administration as a form of protest or sipsip to the incoming administration. Mayor-elect Al Fernandez, a man of sobriety and fairness, knows how to deal with these spoiled brats. POSO under Robert Erfe Mejia gave the city a shining character. If we were Al Fernandez, we won’t hesitate to retain him and his disciplined group.
(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/think-about-it/)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
