Ash Wednesday kicks
off Lenten Season

The Christian world observes tomorrow Ash Wednesday and settles into an atmosphere of gloom as it observes the 40-day Lenten Season.

Actually, that does not need a reminder from us. But just the same, everyone is being asked to “repent” and concentrate their attention on the need to change course from our sinful ways and to enter into the mystery of the Crucifixion.

It is a day of fasting and abstinence. Which could very well disappear with Bacolod girding for the BacoLaodiat. This is the celebration of the Chinese New Year which normally include, among others, feasting on Chinese food and condiments.

It was timely that Sunday, the last week of ordinary time, the Church presented us with the Gospel of the Beatitudes. This is the Savior's statement on the “new man.” What we can be if we follow his words.

And what is meant by the poor in spirit? It is not the materially poor. Even the very affluent can be spiritually poor. Usually that is the cross that they bear – the fact that they may find themselves in the clutches of material prosperity that distract their attention from God.

But who am I to interpret the gospel to the average reader? Just another poor Christian trying to make heads or tails of what the Lord has tried to impart to us.

* * *

I have no illusions about the possibility that by now Speaker Jose De Venecia may have thrown the towel in the fight for the leadership of the House. The numbers just seem insuperable to what he claims he has.

Yesterday afternoon, the coalition majority was girding for a showdown caucus. And, of course, the main item in the agenda is the change of the House leadership.

The Speaker apparently had pinned his hopes that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may opt to throw her weight behind him. But first, she opted to distance herself from the House maneuvers, pointing out that her two sons and the presidential brother-in-law are Congress members and have minds of their own.

In short, in the honored tradition of Malacañang not interfering in the affairs of congress, she simply hinted that it's all systems go.

And, second, she failed to attend the three-some golf game with former President Fidel V. Ramos and De Venecia yesterday, opting instead to attend an inconsequential affair somewhere else.

ANC yesterday captured Rep. Monico Puentevella of Bacolod City in a four-some conversation with Rep. Prospero Nograles. Also present in that meeting was my cousin-in-law Rep. Tony Alvarez of Palawan . He is with Kampi.

Thus, the mere fact that Nograles' supporters are no longer hiding behind the President's skirt proves beyond reasonable doubt that the die had been cast against De Venecia.

Another thing that showed the speaker may have finally found himself in the role was his statement that he is willing to turn over the House leadership to whoever would be chosen by the majority of the members of the chamber.

In short, he would be willing to throw the towel, although he kept insisting on a plenary voting.

Madugo yan. Very unlikely, he would risk it in the face of the number against him.

The major question among political watchers – who will be the main gainer from this maneuver?

No doubt, despite efforts by Malacañang to downgrade the issues against De Venecia, there is no doubt that it was the testimony of his son, Joey, that brought down on his head the axe. As pointed out by one of GMA's stalwarts, he should have kept his son's mouth shut.

That will not give credit to the Arroyo administration. Instead, it will only deepen public suspicions about the role played by both the President and the President's husband Mike Arroyo in the ZTE broadband deal.

De Venecia, per se, does not have the charisma to woo the opposition. But he holds close to his chest many secrets that could be exploded against the administration.

That may be the reason why the opposition has been trying their best to woo De Venecia to their fold.

One thing sure, though. He may not immediately rock the boat which could be interpreted as revenge for his ouster. But, as a skillful player, De Venecia may gradually leak out one issue after another to the press, either directly or indirectly. And that could make the future more miserable for the administration.

Anyway, as I had previously said, there's nothing we can do about it. We can only wait and see what yesterday is going to bring.

Since tomorrow is the start of the Lenten Season, one can only contemplate that De Venecia may have enough time for him to contemplate his record as House leader for 15 years. And, perhaps, try to change course.*

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