Prospero Nograles, left, took over as speaker of the house from Jose de Venecia, right.*

Negrense officials yesterday said they are hopeful the take over by Rep. Prospero Nograles ( Davao City , 1 st District, Lakas CMD) as Speaker of the House will be beneficial to Negros Occidental because he has roots in the province and is a friend.

They are also hoping that Nograles will be able to deliver on the promise for change in the House that is suffering from a credibility problem.

Nograles, who took over from Rep. Jose de Venecia (Pangasinan, 4 th District, Lakas CMD), yesterday said his term would be marked by consensus-building and consultations.

“I am 50 percent Ilonggo and I can relate to the needs of Negros Occidental,” new House Speaker Prospero Nograles said last night.

Nograles, in a telephone interview with the DAILY STAR facilitated by his close friend, Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Neg. Occ., 4th District), said his father, Erico Teruel Nograles, is from Tigbauan, Iloilo , and also has roots in Pontevedra and La Carlota City in Negros Occidental.

Nograles, who speaks Ilonggo, said he has many friends among the Negros Occidental congressmen and also has relatives in the province.

Several groups yesterday challenged former House Speaker Jose de Venecia to make good his promise and threat to expose corruption in the Arroyo administration.

De Venecia, the main prop of the administration against impeachment attempts now becomes a recruit of the political opposition, Renato Magtubo, Partido ng Manggagawa chairperson, said.

“The people now expect him to redeem his sins and tell all about his political romance with GMA,” he said.