“Joey de Venecia must be hallucinating again to accuse the first gentleman of plotting to oust his father. The poor boy needs psychiatric help,” presidential brother-in-law Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo Jr. (Neg. Occ., 5 th district) said yesterday.

Talk of a plot to oust Jose de Venecia as Speaker of the House continued to fester despite Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita's statement that the plotters did not have the numbers.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's allies continued to maintain that she has nothing to do with the move.

“JdV should stop picking on my brother (Mike Arroyo) and be man enough to fight his battles instead of sending his son to do his dirty work,” the solon said.

Rep. Arroyo said he is still in Switzerland but if there is an ouster move he will join.

“We are looking for a win-win solution but unless Joey de Venecia keeps his mouth shut it's all a lose-lose situation for both Lakas and KAMPI,” Rep. Monico Puentevella ( Bacolod ) said.

“The opposition would love nothing else than to see us divide amongst ourselves,” he said.

The president and the first gentleman have nothing to do with these moves, he said.

“It's now in the court of the supporters from both camps. It has gone beyond party lines, I hope we can still save the situation,” Puentevella said.

Rep. Julio Ledesma (Neg. Occ., 1 st district) said no one will benefit from the move to oust de Venecia.

“What's the point then? If there isn't any, then these activities are of no beneficial value to the institution…and thus, at best, unnecessary, and at worst, acts of folly,” he said.*CPG

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