Three of seven Negros Occidental incoming solons yesterday said they are supporting Rep. Jose de Venecia's bid for Speaker of the House for a fifth term, while four others would not say yet whom they will support.

Among those supporting de Venecia's bid are Jose Carlos Lacson (Neg. Occ., 3rd district) of the Lakas - Christian Muslim Democrats, Ignacio Arroyo Jr. (Neg Occ., 5th district) of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Filipino and Genaro Alvarez (Neg. Occ., 6th district) of the Nationalist People's Coalition.

Those would not say yet whom they would support are Monico Puentevella (Bacolod) and Julio Ledema IV (Neg,. Occ., 1st district) of Lakas CMD, Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2nd district) of KAMPI and Jeffery Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th district) of NPC. Puentevella, who is entering his third term as congressman of Bacolod City and is a close ally of the President, said he has not decided yet whom to support for speaker.

De Venecia has been one of the best speakers ever produced but this is a whole new ball game, he said.

"The position is tailor-made for JDV but if the alternative from KAMPI is from Cebu why not propose someone else from Panay or Negros Occidental? It's about time the Ilonggo block discusses this among ourselves in the next few days or weeks. Maybe it is about time that JDV gives others a chance, too," Puentevella said.

Ledesma, returning three-term congressman of the first district, said "I am not undecided, I would rather not answer the question (on the speakership) at this juncture."

Marañon III, who is entering his second term as congressman of the second district, also would not say yet whom he will support for speaker.

"The party (KAMPI) will discuss whom to support for the speakership, in the next couple of weeks we will decide," he said. But he said de Venecia would not have been speaker of the House for so long if he were not effective, he's been doing a good job.

"If there is a contender from the Visayas it will depend on whether he or she is good for the job," he said.

Genaro Alvarez, congressman-elect of the sixth district who has been congressman for three terms, said he is supporting de Venecia because "I have known him for 15 years and have had no problem with him. He is a good and fair speaker and he listens to inputs."

Asked if it is not about time the speaker comes from the Visayas, Alvarez said "it is all the same, what matters is he is experienced and good."

Ferrer, La Carlota mayor and incoming congressman of the fourth district, said "The one I will support will depend on the position of the NPC bloc.

"I believe de Venecia has been effective but we do not know what a new speaker could bring," Ferrer said.

Jose Carlos Lacson, who is entering a third term as congressman of the third district, said "I am supporting Speaker de Venecia because we are in Lakas."

De Venecia has done a lot in terms of meaningful legislation during the Ramos and Arroyo administrations inspite of all the opposition we were getting, Lacson said.

"Being a speaker is not an easy job, you are dealing with more than 200 congressmen, it is not easy to get them mobilized and support the administration," he said.

It does not matter which area one comes form, what is important is track record, he said.

"And I think de Venecia has proven himself . He has seen to passage of economic fundamentals by legislation - even the passage of unpopular legislation that were good for the economy and the country," Lacson said.

Ignacio Arroyo Jr., who is entering his second term as congressman of the fifth district, on Monday said he is supporting the bid of de Venecia for speaker.

"He (de Venecia) can bring stability to the nation as he has been doing in the past years. He has the experience and there will be more stability in government with him," Arroyo said.*CPG

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