SAGAY CITY -- Congressmen affiliated with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's political party, Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino, have signed a manifesto of No-Confidence against Speaker Jose De Venecia, Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Neg. Occ., 2 nd District) said yesterday.

Marañon said he was one of the 46 congressmen present in a meeting the other day in Manila who signed the manifesto calling for the Speaker to give up his post in the House of Representatives.

He added that KAMPI president Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte had talked to De Venecia who agreed that he will step down as House Speaker if those who want him out can present 121 signatures.

Marañon said he received reports that, as of yesterday, 134 congressmen have already signed the manifesto.

He said that right from the start of the 14 th Congress, there had been a clamor for change in the House leadership and, from a small group of congressmen, the number has increased.

Aside from Rep. Ignacio Arroyo (Neg. Occ., 5 th District) who is also a KAMPI member, Marañon said he had no idea about the sentiments of other congressmen from Negros Occidental about the De Venecia issue.

Meanwhile, reports from Manila yesterday said the embattled Speaker urged those who are plotting his ouster to make their move through voting on the floor saying that democracy should operate in secret.

Among those eyed to replace De Venecia is Davao Rep. Prospero Nograles.*NAB

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