The ouster of Congressman Joe de Venecia as Speaker of the House of Represenatives by his own partymates and allies only shows how weak the political party system is in the Philippines. Politics here has not really matured. Philippine politics is still based on personalities and patronage. I can't imagine a Congress controlled by the Majority party spent so much time debating to unseat a Speaker who also happens to belong to the same majority party!!! The intramurals among members of the Majority right then and there at plenary hall of the House covered by a national television makes one shake his head vigorously. The arguments should have been made in a caucus room and the decision smoothly executed in the session hall. The issue which had been debated upon was not of national interest but a personal battle of the former speaker who has fallen out from the graces of Malacañang. Shall we say that this is a case of politics of personalities or washing dirty linens in public?
Listening to the explanations of most of the congressmen, it seems that their votes are anchored on the premise that they should protect the interest of their respective congressional districts. I sense that they must be referring to the Countrywide Development Fund or "pork barrel". Many lawmakers cannot afford to loss their "pork barrel" or that a delay in its release be incurred or else the implementation of their projects will suffer. It is the executive branch through the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) which has the authority to release such fund. It is not surprising that many congressmen have to see to it that they should not be at odds with Malacañang. This is a reality in Philippine politics. Shall we call this patronage or political phragmatism?
The issue on speakership at the House came on such a time that the United States is busy with its primary elections for the 2008 Presidential race. I can't help but compare the level of political maturity between theirs and ours. The obvious has always confronted us. There is really a need for political maturity.
7 comments:
The ouster of House Speaker Jose De Venecia is a personal vendetta by the Arroyo clan in the connection with $ 329 M NBN-ZTE broadband scam. It has nothing to do with reform in the House of Representatives. JDV wants moral revolution while new Speaker Prospero Nograles cried for immoral revolution. Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles was caught pants down in a Makati hotel sex scandal with a well-known media personality and wife of his former campaign manager. Rep. Nograles’ close association in the past with rumored extortionists in the Lower House the notorious “Gang of Four.” This man cannot be trusted and sold his soul to Gloria Arroyo.
The multi-party system in the Philippines is partly blamed on weak political party system. Money talks, there is no such thing as party loyalty. How they voted? Political butterflies are mostly represented by the ruling clan-dynasty to protect their interests. Balimbingan blues forever!
Ilocos Sur
Ronald Singson-YES
Eric Singson-NO
Ilocos Norte
Bongbong Marcos-YES
Roque Ablan -YES
Quezon City Bingbong Crisologo -YES
HOW LAWMAKERS VOTED IN VACATING SPEAKER'S SEAT
YES:
• Abaya, Joseph Emilio A.
• Ablan, Roque Jr. R.
• Aggabao, Giorgidi B.
• Agyao, Manuel S.
• Albano, Rodolfo III T.
• Alcala, Proceso J.
• Alfelor, Felix Jr. R.
• Almario, Thelma Z
• Alvarez, Antonio C.
• Alvarez, Genaro Jr. M.
• Amante, Edelmiro A.
• Angara, Juan Edgardo M.
• Angping, Maria Zenaida B.
• Antonino, Rodolfo W.
• Apostol, Trinidad 'Ebbie'
• G.Aquino
• Jose II S. Arago
• Maria Evita R.
• Arbison, Munir M.
• Arenas, Ma. Rachel J.
• Arnaiz, George P.
• Arroyo, Diosdado Macapagal
• Arroyo, Ignacio T.
• Bagatsing, Amado S.
• Barzaga, Elpidio Jr. F.
• Bautista, Franklin P.
• Belmonte, Vicente Jr. F.
• Bichara, Al Francis C.
• Bonoan-David, Ma. Theresa B.M
• Bravo, Narciso Jr. R.
• Briones, Nicanor M.
• Bulut, Elias Jr. C.
• Cagas, Marc Douglas IV C.
• Cajayon, Mary Mitzi "Mitch"
• Cajes, Roberto C.
• Cari, Carmen L.
• Castelo-Daza, Nanette
• Castro, Fred
• Celeste, Arthur F.
• Cerilles, Antonio H
• ChattoEdgar M.
• Chavez Leonila V.
• Chipeco, Justin 'Timmy' SB.
• Chong, Glenn A.
• Chungalao, Solomon R.
• Clarete, Marina P.
• Climaco, Maria Isabelle "Beng"
• Codilla, Eufrocino Sr. M.
• Coquilla, Teodolo M.
• Coscolluela, Ma. Carissa
• Crisologo, Vincent 'Bingbong' P.
• Cua, Guillermo P.
• Cua, Junie E.
• Dayanghirang, Nelson L.
• Daza, Paul R.
• Defensor, Arthur Sr. D.
• Defensor, Matias, Jr. V.
• Del Rosario, Antonio A.
• Diasnes, Carlo Oliver D.
• Dimaporo, Abdullah D.
• Duavit, Michael John 'Jack' R.
• Dueñas, Henry Jr.
• Dumarpa, Faysah RPM
• Dumpit, Thomas Jr. L.
• Durano, Ramon 'Red' VI H.
• Dy, Faustino III G.
• Emano, Yevgeny Vincente B.
• Enverga, Wilfrido Mark
• Ermita-Buhain, Eileen
• Estrella, Conrado III M.
• Estrella, Robert Raymund
• Fabian, Erico Basilio A.
• Fernandez, Danilo Ramon S.
• Ferrer, Jeffrey P.
• Garay, Florencio C
• Garcia, Albert S.
• Garcia, Pablo John F
• Garcia, Pablo
• Garin, Janette L. , M.D.
• Gatchalian, Rex
• Gatlabayan, Angelito C.
• Go, Arnulfo F.
• Gonzales, Aurelio
• Gonzales, Neptali II, M
• Gonzalez, Raul Jr. T.
• Gullas, Eduardo R.
• Gunigundo, Magtanggol T.
• Hofer, Dulce Ann K.
• Jaafar, Nur G.
• Jala, Adam Relson L
• Jalosjos, Cesar
• Jalosjos-Carreon, Cecilia
• Javier, Exequiel B
• Jikiri, Yusop H.
• Joson, Eduardo Nonato N.
• Lacson, Jose Carlos V.
• Lagbas, Danilo P.
• Lagdameo, Antonio Jr. F.
• Lapus, Jeci A.
• Lazatin, Carmelo F.
• Lim, Reno G.
• Macapagal-Arroyo, Juan Miguel
• Madrona, Eleandro Jesus F.
• Magsaysay, Ma. Milagros 'Mitos'
• Malapitan, Oscar G
• Mamba, Manuel N.
• Mandanas, Hermilando I.
• Mangudadatu, Datu Pax S.
• Marañon, Alfredo III D.
• Sy-Limkaichong, Jocelyn
• Marcos, Ferdinand Jr. R.
• Matugas, Francisco T.
• Mendoza, Mark Llandro L.
• Mercado, Roger G.
• Miraflores, Florencio T.
• Mitra, Abraham Kahlil B
• Nava, JC Rahman A., M.D
• Noel, Florencio 'Bem'
• Olaño, Arrel R.
• Ong, Emil L.
• Padilla, Carlos M.
• Pancho, Pedro M.
• Pancrudo, Candido Jr. P.
• Pichay, Philip A.
• Pingoy, Arthur
• Plaza, Rodolfo 'Ompong' G.
• Ponce Enrile, Salvacion "Sally" S.
• Prieto-Teodoro, Monica Louise
• Puentevella, Monico O.
• Puno, Roberto V
• Remulla, Jesus Crispin C.
• Reyes, Carmencita O.
• Reyes, Victoria H.
• Robes, Arturo B.
• Roman, Herminia B.
• Romarate, Guillermo Jr. A
• Romualdez, Ferdinand Martin G
• Romulo, Roman T.
• Roxas, Jose Antonio
• Salimbangon, Benhur L.
• Salvacion, Andres Jr. D.
• San Luis, Edgar S.
• Sandoval, Alvin S.
• Santiago, Joseph A.
• Santiago, Narciso III D.
• Seachon-Lanete, Rizalina
• Singson, Ronald V.
• Luna Cecilia S.
• Solis, Jose G
• Soon-Ruiz, Nerissa Corazon
• Suarez, Danilo E
• Susano, Mary Ann L.
• Sy-Alvarado, Ma. Victoria
• Syjuco, Judy
• Taliño-Mendoza, Emmylou J.
• Tan, Sharee Ann T.
• Tañada, Lorenzo III R.
• Tieng, William Irwin C
• Tupas, Niel Jr. C.
• Umali, Alfonso Jr. V.
• Umali, Czarina D.
• Ungab, Isidro T.
• Uy, Edwin C.
• Uy, Reynaldo S. , M.D
• Uy, Rolando
• Valdez, Edgar L.
• Vargas, Florencio
• Velarde, Rene M.
• Villafuerte, Luis R.
• Villarosa, Ma. Amelita C.
• Vinzons-Chato,Liwayway
• Violago, Joseph Gilbert F.
• Yap, Jose V.
• Yu, Victor J
• Herminia Ramiro
NO:
• Abante, Bienvenido Jr. M
• Agbayani, Victor E.
• Amatong, Rommel C.
• Balindong, Pangalian M.
• Beltran, Crispin B.
• Biazon, Rozzano Rufino B.
• Biron, Ferjenel G., M.D.
• Cabilao, Belma A.
• Casiño, Teodoro A.
• Chiongbian, Erwin L.
• Cuenco, Antonio V.
• Dangwa, Samuel M.
• Datumanong ,Simeon A.
• Del Mar, Raul V.
• Dilangalen, Didagen P.
• Domogan, Mauricio G.
• Fua, Orlando B.
• Hontiveros-Baraquel, Ana Theresia
• Ilagan, Luzviminda C.
• Lagman, Edcel C.
• Ledesma, Julio IV A.
• Locsin, Teodoro Jr. L.
• Maza, Liza T.
• Ocampo, Satur C.
• Piamonte, Mariano U.
• Piñol, Bernardo Jr. F.
• Singson, Eric D.
• Teodoro, Marcelino
• Villar, Cynthia A.
• Zamora, Ronaldo B.
• Zialcita, Eduardo C.
ABSTAINED:
• Antonino-Custodio, Darlene R.
• Asilo, Benjamin DR.
• Cojuangco, Mark O.
• Garcia, Vincent J.
• Golez, Roilo S.
• Ortega, Victor Franciso C.
• Rodriguez, Rufus B.
• Villanueva, Emmanuel Joel J.
• Zubiri, Jose Ma. III F.
• Binay Mar Len Abigail
• Cayetano Ma Laarni
• Escudero Salvador III
- GMANews.TV
Re: The need for political maturity. Mr. Rod Kapunan has some good points.
Old ploy no longer works
BACKBENCHER
Rod. P. Kapunan
01/29/2008 Daily Tribune
When the motley group of worn out trapos led by the two former Senate presidents, Jovito Salonga and Franklin Drilon, and their acolytes namely, Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas, Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino and former Rep. Butch Abad, elevated the issue of Liberal Party (LP) leadership to the Supreme Court (SC), and argued the validity of their wrestling power from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza, by implication they wanted to nullify the well-attended LP convention held at the Manila Hotel. Similarly, when the SC handed back the leadership to what Secretary Atienza calls the “Gang of Five,” it now appears that the LP leadership is a court-instituted leadership, and not one voted in by the majority of the members functioning on the basis of a dynamic democracy.
A leader who has confidence on the worth of his leadership has no business going to court to help him settle his problem with the party. The court is not the arbiter of private affairs. Thus, if the Gang of Five feels it has been offended by the decision of the majority of the members that attended the convention called by Atienza, its best remedy was to tender its resignation and form another party. The tandem of Salonga and Drilon raised the issue of procedural matters on why the court should recognize their leadership as “legitimate,” but party leadership is not a matter of legality but a political question only the members can resolve. On the contrary, they could have attended the convention but they opted to stay away because they could sense their not having the numbers. More than that, submitting themselves to the will of the majority could derail their agenda of pushing the presidential ambition of Roxas.
The decision of the Gang of Five and its members to break away from Mrs. Arroyo was not so much that she has become a political liability, but that their presence in the ruling coalition has already become redundant that they could be exposed as engaging in political opportunism. This was why their continued alliance with Kampi was paradoxical. Nonetheless, their determination to float Senator Roxas as the LP presidential bet will hardly materialize as the majority of the LP members, especially those from the grassroots level, are pragmatic and realistic enough to understand that their party flourished and many were elected because of their party’s coalition with Kampi and Lakas CMD. It is this kind of honesty that the Gang of Five members refuse to admit because their ambition had been already locked to the idea they would be the next to rule this land.
In fact, this political chicanery has become a habit of the old guard Salonga who has been treating the LP as his private dominion. He tried that ploy on Joseph Estrada in 1996 when Erap was still the Vice President. As then the Senate President gunning for the presidency, Salonga invited him to join the LP. Salonga offered Estrada membership of the executive council, of which he was the chairman. But when asked who would be the party’s presidential candidate, Salonga without hesitation explained that under the rules of the party the chairman automatically would stand as the standard bearer. Sensing that the invitation was a snare, Estrada politely declined because the shrewd lawyer was bent on manipulating things just to become President even if the rating showed it would take a miracle for him to be elected. Besides, Salonga could exploit his entry to legally decapitate Estrada’s own Pwersa ng Masa for defecting to the LP.
Nonetheless, the LP, which has been syndicated as exclusive to the Gang of Five, entertains the thought that bolting the ruling coalition would trigger mass desertion from the general membership as though members were a herd of sheep blindly following them without questioning their motive. Yes, Salonga, Drilon, Roxas, Aquino, Abad and company focus on how to capture political power, but that view is not shared by the general membership headed by its chairman Lito Atienza, who was keen on the party’s long term political survival, and it was most practical because a political party without its members is as good as a party without a political machinery.
When Atienza forced the issue to be resolved in a fair and democratic convention, the Gang of Five knew that the issue was not on leadership, but on the fundamental question of whether the LP will remain with the ruling coalition. Sensing that the majority would vote to stay, the Gang of Five decided to boycott the convention. It was a clever ploy for had it chosen to slug it out, this group would have been isolated and could have throttled the ambition of Senator Roxas. Surely, he would not be able get the support of the majority voting on a consensus basis. In which case, the decision of the SC effectively short-circuited the issue of who constituted the majority and automatically extended to that clique an aura of authority to install Roxas as LP president preparatory to his being proclaimed as its candidate for President.
It was ridiculous for the SC to clothe the Gang of Five with the leadership mantle.
Everybody knows that Salonga and Drilon are members of an influential fraternity whose membership is deeply entrenched in the judiciary. Thus, instead of unifying the LP synchronized to what the majority of the members want to happen, the court-installed leadership now decides for the members on what they should do.
(E-mail: rodkap@yahoo.com.ph)
Rod Kapunan's article is obviously anti- Salonga, anti-Drilon and pro-Erap. Anyway, he is entitled to his own opinion. The matter is already moot and academic. Mar Roxas's assumption as LP president has the support of the majority of the members, including the grassroots.
Can Mar Roxas unite the Liberal Party? The Atienza-LP wing is still making lot of noises. The husband of Sharon Cuneta, Kiko Pangilinan is not happy the way Mar Roxas running the party affairs.
YES, Mar Roxas can unite the party. In fact, when he assumed the leadership of the party, the LP became more united. Kiko is still with the Liberal party. Like in any organization, the LP is confronted with issues and concerns including problems. But, these are normal and being addressed. I am sure LP members and non-members will join the political bandwagon of Mar Roxas come 2010
Sen. Mar Roxas has done a good job to ferret the truth on ZTE broadband scam Senate witness Rodolfo Lozada’s alleged planned kidnapping by Malacanang mafia. He caught Mike Defensor lying. http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=0MhUoOpAtBs
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