His son, her sons

It has truly become a family affair, “feud”, if you like the term better. It started when the son of Speaker Jose de Venecia, a businessman, failed to get the contract for the installation of a broadband system in the country and it was instead awarded to a Chinese firm, called ZTE. Frustrated, Joey de Venecia let out what seemed to be a can of worms as far as government biddings and awardings are concerned. In the process, he involved the chairman of the Commission on Election, and, during a Senate hearing later, also the first gentleman, the President's husband.

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The heat got too much for Chairman Benjamen Abalos that he resigned from the Comelec. It also reportedly got as hot for young De Venecia, who had to seek refuge in the United States for several months. But when another hearing was scheduled by the Senate on the same case, he flew back and announced his determination to submit to the same questioning and, naturally, drawing in the same persons he had entangled before. The whole nation held its breath, this was going to be more exciting than any TV serial or action movie could be.

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But the fall-out did not smother Joey de Venecia, it was his father, the Speaker of the House, who suddenly found his hold on the most important position in the House of Representatives, a position that placed him third in the line of succession to the presidency, in great peril. The whole of this week, the speculations in politics all centered on whether Jose de Venecia, with his known political savvy and his tenacity in holding on to the speakership, would be able to hang on. For a while, the rumbles were about alleged discontent in his leadership from a FEW members. Before the week was over, it was clear that his hold was, indeed, in the gravest danger.

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This was after it became clear that the two sons of the President, now both members of Congress themselves, plus their uncle who is another, are making no bones about their involvement in the move against JdV. Yesterday, talk was that their group had already mustered more than the majority to kick out De Venecia. But there seems to be some discordant chord somewhere. Yesterday, I overheard an interview over the radio of Iloilo Congressman Arthur Defensor, the House majority leader, and he was saying that he had been with JdV and the President the night before, and Madame Arroyo had expressed her strong support for De Venecia and his continued stay as Speaker. Why then, did the numbers grow bigger, and why was De Venecia talking about having a “traitor” and a “Brutus” in his former ranks? Will this mystery ever unravel? As they say in the comics: Abangan ang susunod na kabanata (Watch for the next chapter).

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Some news headlines declared yesterday that, according to the National Economic Development Authority, or NEDA, the Philippine economy grew 7.3 percent, the highest ever in 31 years. Really? But if you ask the man on the street if he is aware of this, he probably will point you to the beggars roaming in the towns and cities, the soaring prices of commodities and services, and ask you, in turn, what growth? Ironically, the same national daily that carried the growth story on its front page, had another one about the “Worsening corruption” in the country that is endangering American aid. Is there a connection?

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But some Pinoys, especially those who express themselves in letters to newspapers, are dubious about the growth story. They say it is a questionable one, because it only depends on the remittances of our overseas workers. Alas, it looks as if our people are so dispirited that they do not want to listen to good news. But there are still reasons why we should be thankful that we live in this country, poor though it may be. Look at the wealthy Chinese people, their government is so rich, it can afford to give them all kinds of conveniences and facilities. But people there are dying now because of the extreme cold, and the heavy snow that has been falling continuously. Reports yesterday said 60 have been killed already, and several houses have been buried under heavy snowfall. Let's be thankful for our good weather, rain and all, because we are better off than others with all their money and privileges.*

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