Joe DeV is it

Speaker Jose De Venecia scored a major feat yesterday when his colleagues in the lower House nominated him alone to lead them again for the 14 th Congress.

That deserves kudos from all of us, the friends of Speaker De Venecia. What was not clear was what had convinced Rep. Pablo Garcia of Cebu, Joe DeV’s rival for the speakership to give way at the last minute. But it really settled the issue peacefully.

Now, there will be speculations that De Venecia may aspire for the presidency in 2010. But by that time, he shall have become too old for the Presidency. Then, again, who knows?

The main criticism against De Venecia is that he is a consensus builder. Insofar as that is concerned, I think he towers almost every other person of that type. But that is exactly what is needed in a democratic institution. One who can synthesize and harmonize conflicting opinions of various quarters.

That precisely is what democracy is all about. The leader must be able to elicit conflicting opinions and views and, later, try to forge commonality and settle on a compromise.

That may seem weakness to some. But, unfortunately, that is the essence of democracy. Ideologues and hardliners are the most dangerous to that way of life.

Again, my kudos to Joe DeV for emerging triumphant again. May he live long enough, not to change the Constitution as he sees fit, but that some of the things that he is batting for may be realized.

***

As we went into print yesterday, all eyes and ears were focused on the President’s State of the Nation Address. That included the militants who had only their preconceptions to listen to as they closed their ears to the SONA. They were more involved in their demonstrations.

Anyway, I guess the best thing we can do is listen to what the President has to say and analyze it later. We can find out where she said the wrong things and criticize her to our hearts content. But to prejudge her is something only the calloused can do.

But we must admit that in the case of Negros Occidental, we have a lot to thank her for, including the construction of the P4.5 billion new Bacolod Airport in Silay City.

Well, that airport will become operational only in November or later. But the fact is that it is there now. And we may, for all it is wroth, be benefited by it. Perhaps, Silay more even than Bacolod. But that’s another feather in the cap of GMA.

***

As I had said, I prefer to wait for the SONA. Although, the Palace propaganda machine had already leaked out much of its contents. still, it is better to wait for it.

*** 

Meanwhile, I join the rest of Western Visayas in hailing the election of Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas and City Mayor Evelio Leonardia as chairman and vice chairman, respectively of the League of Cities of the Philippines.

That there were no alternatives nominated to both positions is a tribute to the high regard their peers had for the two local executives.

I was present when Treñas first ran for presidency of the league. Then, Puerto Princesa Mayor Hagedorn opted to toss his hat into the ring against Treñas. But he had to settle for the chairmanship of the League.

Trenas trounced Hagedron in what was billed as a classic joust. In the end, with Rep. Ignacio Arroyo (5 th, Neg. Occ.) around rooting for Treñas, the Iloilo mayor roundly beat back the Hagedorn challenge.

Our best wishes for both Jerry and Bing.

***

I must confess that I was touched by the column Primo wrote about last Saturday’s celebration of my birthday in advance of its actual date, Aug. 23.

But I must confess that the tribute Primo paid me sort of gave me the jitters because I had not written about the same as also given him (also by surprise) by his children and grandchildren.

As I had already said, I was myself surprised by the celebration Saturday I had to publicly confess that “it was the first time I, myself, saw the presentation by my 11 children and 23 grandchildren. That’s how they effectively kept the whole thing from me.”

So with the tribute by Miss L. She particularly cited the musical numbers by Nene and Mary Ann.

And, yes, the 11 are my children. And, as I pointed out to Primo, I had to withstand derisions and carping from friends and relatives every time Nene would accompany me in Manila pregnant. “You don’t exercise birth control?” were the usual jibes.

back to top