Smirks on their faces
stigmatize Arroyo sons

Despite the tensions and hurts of the House proceedings against Speaker Jose De Venecia Monday night, members of the House acted with decorum and utmost civility. But there were the marring incidents of the sons of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who smirked while Speaker Jose de Venecia was delivering his caldecitory.

An ugly sight that smacked of arrogance. Understandably, they, too, must have been hurt by the exposé by Joey de Venecia, the Speaker's son, against First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Still, such behavior was unpardonable in the face of the civilized behavior of even the opponents of Joe DeV.

Like most mediamen in Bacolod and elsewhere in the country, I watched the proceedings on TV until the wee hours of the morning.

But, despite his bitter recriminations against GMA, I doff my hat off to the former House leader who had wielded the House baton for 15 years, unprecedented in the annals of legislative history. But again, he was brought down in another history – the first ouster of a Speaker of the House after Martial Law.

But I also salute Rep. Teodoro Locsin of Makati and Shariff Kabunsuan Rep. Didagen Dilangalen for defending the right of Joe DV to deliver his privileged speech preparatory to the nominal voting. Also Camarines Sur. Rep. Villafuerte who, despite being KAMPI president and die-hard Joe DEV oppositionist, relented and voted for the former speaker to give his speech.

The outcome had long been predictable. And, although his triad was deliberately intended to couch his cause as patriotic, one of the things that impressed me was that Joe DEV stood by his son and expressed his commitment to Joey's values that prompted the latter to expose the shenanigans in the ZTE broadband deal.

Gina, the wife, was also present. And she maintained her composure all throughout. She did, however, vigorously applaud Joe DEV's tirades, specially when the latter cited that the two GMA sons were her godsons.

One can dismiss De Venecia's speech as aimed at gaining the sympathy of the gallery. He could not have hoped to change the minds of those who had already decided to cast their votes the way they had wanted because of one reason or another.

However, De Veneica may not necessarily join the opposition immediately. But one thing sure. He will have a lot of skeletons which can be fodder for the opposition, despite his assurance that he will not hesitate to support the good things the President will do.

An ugly note. One of the things mentioned by De Venecia was that one does not have to beg the sons of GMA for their countryside development funds release. In short, an admission that Malacañang continues to hold the government purse strings. Perhaps, that's one reform which Speaker Prospero Nograles can do now. See to it that the equitable release of funds for countryside development should be mandatory and not contingent on Malacañang approval.

That's the reason for Malacañang's clout over Congress. And, yet, the Legislative is the co-equal branch of government. In short, so long as it is the Palace that determines when funds and what funds can be released, Congress, particularly the House will remain at the mercy of the Palace.

Nograles, however, is a veteran lawmaker. And I am sure that he is a potential reformer. For that matter, a Lakas legislator from Laguna complained that he had not been given support either by the KAMPI or the Lakas, although he was a Lakas member, in the last elections.

In short, there was also failure by Joe De Venecia as Lakas head. And that was the complaint of several politicians I know.

And Rep. Baham Mitra ( Palawan ) should have known that. The very loose coalition was the one that did his father in – the former Speaker Ramon Mitra, Jr.

Well, we can only watch for the fallout of Monday night's “massacre.” For that exactly what it was. Why De Venecia insisted on the fight being brought to the floor of the house remains a mystery. But that also provided him the opportunity to know exactly who his loyal friends are or were.

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Yesterday marked the start of the pilgrimages to the San Sebastian Cathedral where one can gain plenary indulgences subject to complying with the religious conditions.

And, just like in Rio De Janeiro of Brazil , Shrove Tuesday, was marked with evening of rejoicing and merriment at the Bacolod Public Plaza . There were the MassKara Festival, Pinta Flores of San Carlos, Pasalamat Festival of La Carlota City and other major events of the province invited to join.

It also marked the start today of Ash Wednesday, the first day of the 60-day Lenten Season.

Yesterday's pilgrims were headed by Tourism Cultural and Development Council chaired by Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia and lawyer John Orola, the chief operating officer.*

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