The three new Speakers of the House

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(L to R) 1. Bank armored car: last minute delivery? 2. The Arroyo’s corner 3. Dato surveys his domain

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(L to R) 1., 2. Audience in the galleries 3. JDV’s last moments presiding over the session

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(L to R) 1. Kampi huddle 2. Admn Reps. talk to reporters 3. JDV perorates from the floor

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(L to R) Two scenes from the media frenzy after JDV finished his speech

My coverage of events from the Bastusan Pambansa was in the form of Twittering, you can see them here, and here, and here and here and here.

As I suspected, the announcement from the Palace, that there wouldn’t be fireworks in the House on Monday but instead, hopefully a tidy handover of power on Tuesday, was a ruse. The Palace was hoping that the galleries would be empty, the media absent, and public attention unfocused, so that it could minimize the risks if de Venecia decided to go down fighting.

In his blog, Rep. Ruffy Biazon (who went against his party’s decision to support Nograles) has an interesting account of the maneuvering behind the scenes:

A few days before the session resumed, both sides, the pro- and anti-JDV camps, conducted meetings one after the other. Some congressmen gave commitments early while some attended meetings on both sides. Signatures on manifestos were gathered, and there are even reports of congressmen signing on manifestos from both sides.

Both sides claimed they had the numbers and for a time, it was seen as a bluffing game. But it became clearer after the majority caucus held in Malacanang. It was a make or break caucus for JDV, where he was expecting (probably more accurately, hoping) that the President would step in and advise everyone to uphold the status quo.

According to information I gathered, the President instead tried to craft a set of procedures on how the showdown would happen, which was seen by others as the final nail on the coffin of JDV’s Speakership. On its face, it is a neutral act, but Congressmen saw it as a withdrawal of support from JDV and a blessing to the initiative of her sons to oust the Speaker.

After the adjournment of that caucus, word already spread out among congressmen about the position of the president and as expected, tides began to turn in favor of Cong. Prospero Nograles. The two camps held meetings after the caucus, the JDV camp in Rembrandt Hotel and the Nograles camp in Luk Foo, a Chinese restaturant near Congress.

There, the numbers and warm bodies were finally seen. At around 3:30 PM, thirty minutes before session was to begin, there were 47 congressmen in Rembrandt and 123 in Luk Foo. 121 votes were needed to oust De Venecia.

Jose De Venecia’s fate was sealed.

As it was, since no one really believes the Palace or trusts it, everyone due to show up on Monday showed up on Monday. At first things looked like they were headed for business as usual until Rep. Abraham Mitra of Palawan, soon after the referral of bills, rose and threw down the gauntlet.

He moved that the speakership be declared vacant. Ronaldo Zamora tried to derail the motion by rising on a point of inquiry but fellow minority member Plaza then rose and derailed Zamora’s inquiry. Datumanong, who was presiding, suspended the session. At that point, two hours of furious caucus-holding and negotiations began.

The two hours were spent basically hammering out two issues between the Nograles and the de Venecia camps.

The Nograles, or Palace, camp wanted to deny de Venecia the opportunity to demand nominal voting where each and every congressman would have to rise and put their vote for or against the motion, on the record. Furthermore, the Palace wanted to deny de Venecia the opportunity to make a valedictory speech.

Along the way, de Venecia clung to the hope he could, somehow, preserve his office and at one point, inquired with Rep. Tanada of the Liberal contingent whether, if he came out strongly enough against the President, the Liberals would reconsider their pledge to support the Palace’s candidate. Tanada responded by going out to the lobby and telling media they were foursquare behind Nograles (later on, after de Venecia’s peroration, Rep. Jun Abaya, great grandson of Emilio Aguinaldo and member of the LP, had the decency to try to register his vote on the motion by nodding; but Rep. Fuentebella, presiding at the time, insisted, rightly, that every congressman rise from his chair, go the mike, and state clearly what their vote was; Abaya sheepishly went to the mike and mumbled “Yes”).

At a certain point, about a half hour before he returned to the floor, de Venecia apparently knew his game was up and summoned his wife and son to his office. They returned to the gallery about ten minutes before the soon to be ex-speaker reappeared on the floor -there was an audible gasp from the galleries when he took his place by the rostrum. All the while, Rep. Mitra had hovered by the microphone repeatedly asking that the session be resumed and his motion carried out. The Arroyo brothers at various time surveyed the scene with proprietary interest and from time to time, Mikey Arroyo would disappear.

So when de Venecia returned, the question became, would he be permitted a swan song? Villafuerte and Pabling Garcia’s blustering were foiled by the intervention of Rep. Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Rep. Dilangalen, and the father of Chiz Escudero; in a nuanced and quite interesting ruling from the chair, Rep. Fuentebella said that a congressman has a paramount right to free speech, by means of making a privilege speech, after which the division of the House on the question of Mitra’s motion could then take place.

As for the speech of de Venecia, the various press reports will suffice: see The Speaker speaks — And How; and how De Venecia goes down fighting. See also Nograles is new House Speaker and Gonzalez: ‘He has burned his bridges with the President’.

The great defect of de Venecia as a politician was revealed for all to see, when his often rambling speech kept returning to a complaint that he was speaking off the cuff, because he’d been assured -and believed- that he’d have until Tuesday to state his case to his peers. Obviously the Palace was not inclined either to keep its word or do him any favors, yet the man thought that a pledge was a pledge. In a nutshell, that is the great defect of truly traditional politicians -they believe that there are some lines no one will cross.

To be sure, presidents can’t tolerate disloyal speakers. After Manuel Villar, Jr. transmitted the articles of impeachment against Joseph Estrada to the Senate, the ruling coalition deposed him and elected Rep. Fuentebella speaker instead. This time, de Venecia had to go, and hardly anyone sympathized with him.

Now, he is on probation: opponents of the administration will more likely than not, wait and see if he will fill in the details of the official chicanery he only painted in bold strokes in his valedictory. People inclined to be neutral, will be watching, as well, as INKBLOTS puts it,

As an ordinary citizen, I am more interested with his expose. While it may be too late a hero to expose the Presidency and its allies in its alleged lapses and involvement in various controversies, I realized something good was coming out of it, after all–that is the unveiling of some hidden truths and burning issues that the Filipino nation must face.

What will happen in the coming days is for us to see. As JDV said, it is just the start and the Filipino people would expect more in the coming days. That is for us to hear and see.

After some period of stabilization, we are again riding a political roller-coaster. I just pray that this move to expose the Presidency’s alleged shortcomings would do good for the country. Definitely, this move by JDV will turn tides. I just hope that many Filipinos would become more vigilant of those turncoat politicians who would take advantage of this situation, and that the people behind it would not resort to violence.

Returning to Ruffy Biazon’s blog, he states, clearly enough, I think, what the whole exercise was all about:

I believed that the ouster move was not motivated by a desire for change and reform in the House. It was never a secret that the primary movers of this move were the two sons of the President, who were hurt by the testimony of JDV’s son Joey against their father regarding the ZTE scandal. In the House, congressmen complain about JDV’s tendency to make promises and not make good on them, but there wasn’t any drive to remove him from office because of this. Issues about transparency in the House expenses were raised, but nobody ever really made a move to scrutinize them. During the budget deliberations, where the golden opportunity to ask questions about the House budget is there for everyone to take, no one grabbed it. The Commission on Audit annual report on House expenses is always ready for anyone interested to go over and review.

Some have said that the Speaker was responsible for the plummeting ratings and deplorable image of the House. But the House of Representatives is a collective body. The Speaker is said to be only the First Among Equals. The image of the House is the responsibility not only of the Speaker but by all congressmen as individuals and the entire House as an institution. Even if we have a Speaker with impeccable character, if a majority of congressmen still abuse their power, act arrogantly in their distrcits, involve themselves in questionable deals and transactions and perform their duties poorly, the House will remain a house of ill repute. It can be redeemed through extra spending in publicity and public relations, but those will never reform the House.

I have due respect and admiration for him as a colleague, but Cong. Nograles couldn’t have made it on his own. As the current head of the House contingent on the Commission on Appointments during this Congress, he is often not in the House, understandably because of his duties as head of the contingent. For the past months of the 14th Congress, he was concentrated on his duty instead of campaigning for change and reform in the House. Besides, going for the Speakership involves the mobilizing resources which I don’t think he has on his own. It had to take someone else with more clout and resources to organize and convince the congressmen to support him.

The House of Representatives elected three Speakers last night: Rep. Nograles to represent the castrated Lakas-CMD; and the brothers Dato and Mikey Arroyo through whom all public works flow.

And as I mentioned in my column, yesterday, the signal sent by this move is that Kampi is now the real mover and shaker in the House. It hatched the plot to oust de Venecia, a party man and leader with stature equal to, at least, the President; it sustained that plot and accomplished it; in other words, it is the party that matters, and its gaining the greatest numbers is merely a matter of time. As will be its deposing, in turn, Nograles the moment, say, the President decides that he has become a liability.

For example, the enmity between Nograles, a third termer out of the House by 2010 anyway, and Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, is famous. By all accounts, Duterte isn’t going to take Nograles’ election as Speaker sitting down. Who will the President need more, in the coming years, if there are efforts to accomplish Charter Change? After Nograles delivers in the House, the effort will sink or swim depending on how local governments marshal their forces. At which point the President will need Duterte more than she needs Nograles. And his being a member of Lakas-CMD will matter little by that time.

I received this text message, today, which for now will have to be in the caveat emptor, scuttlebutt department:

Per Palace insider, Lakas convention set this week has been deferred to another date. Press con for FVR being arranged. They’ll next try to oust Villar. JPE is coy to be Senate Pres. but Angara agreed. ConAss preferred over PI which can’t change form of govt. Plan is for unicameral with PGMA as PM. JDV chopping is a 3-pronged plan: Revenge related to ZTE, reduce his influence in the House vis-a-vis ConAss, and break the Lakas which is not PGMA but FVR and JDV. Ermita is also in chopping board. Bunye asked to be moved to Monetary Board. Esperon to DND.

There will be easy ways to refute or prove this and previous scuttlebutt, much of which has ended up being verified publicly by the Palace, anyway.The EQualizer, on the other hand, makes some bold predictions.

Mon Casiple, in his blog, offers up this reflection:

We are witness to the final act of GMA’s current crisis of presidential legitimacy. In so doing, he has thrown the gauntlet at GMA’s feet, accusing her of orchestrating his ouster and hinting of stormy days ahead.

GMA has no choice but to pick up this gauntlet — issues are already joined. The fuse was lit by de Venecia and the clock is ticking. If taken to its logical conclusion — and if no major damage control is taken, however remote its possibility — the crisis of legitimacy has entered its final act. Jose de Venecia cannot be permitted to speak of living, breathing demons in the Malacañang closet.

GMA faces the specter of serious political opposition with the present and future JDV revelations. In a situation of negative presidential popularity, this is an explosive situation. The possible scenarios basically are open-ended. They certainly include a shortened GMA term or a possible desperate declaration of an emergency situation.

Malacañang’s political strategists miscalculated on this one. It may cost all of them their heads.

Reactions in the blogosphere can be found in The Philippine Experience, in smoke, and The Warrior Lawyer and Rebelmind. Also, there’s Ideological Soup and Tongue In, Anew.

See also I will BE and Manila Boy and chakringg…=) as well as Let’s go, IN! and Nomadic Thoughts.

And Iloilo City Boy proposes something I’ve pondered upon, too: perhaps the best thing would be to have a permanent, single-term limit for officials, without any possibility of ever returning to the same office.

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Manuel L. Quezon III.

245 thoughts on “The three new Speakers of the House

  1. They have achieved objective one (1). A possible future rival, namely JDV, is removed from his influential Speakership position. The administration’s plans are right on track.

  2. Trapo JDV has many faults, and I’m no fan of Yoda de Venecia myself, but the timing of his removal is all wrong. The (real) reason for his removal is all wrong.

  3. I’d like to hope that JdV will now start fighting, but if he didn’t fight then, when fighting would have catapulted him to hero-dom, why would we see him fighting now? Ika nga, the guy’s a lover, not a fighter. Too bad his love went unrequited.

  4. JDV cannot easily be trusted, however if he is indeed that desirous of bringing out the truth on anomalies, then he should start giving the evidence to the opposition and civil society.

    Have him swear by the evidences of anomalies on pain of perjury (or worse) in case he backtracks. I’m not surprised if during this time, backchannel talks are being done by Malacanang boys and girls to appease de Venecia so as not to reveal anomalies which he MAY indeed have evidence on. Whether JDV has suddenly develops a spine or still has jelly for a backbone remains to be seen. I would not heavily bet on the first possibility however.

  5. In a power game, the loser deserves a butt-kicking. Besides, JDV picked his hand (as in a card game) and played with it until (almost) the end. He only tried to fight back Malacanang when he saw that he was going to be whipped! He thoroughly deserves this “ending”. He badly misread his and his opponents’ cards.

    He looked like a sore loser during his last speech as the speaker, strengthening further the rebuttal question: why only now? He should have followed what Kabayan above said that he should have kept his cool and release evidence/s on Gloria’s hidden skeletons preferrably one at a time until 2010!

  6. JDV doesn’t have it in him to be the rallying point or even the catalyst for the presidential scandal exposes. he doesn’t have it in him to be another enrile (for EDSA I) or chavit (for EDSA II). for too long he has been known to be an accomodator, a bridge-builder. and since he knows his life is safe as long as he shuts up, he won’t be disposed off with extreme prejudice. sure, he’ll lose a whole lot of clout in the coming days, but he will still wield significant influence and wealth. so he won’t be bothered with as long as he shuts up.

    although he did come out with that tirade during the privilege speech, it was more of a knee-jerk reaction of a slighted man than one crusading for justice. as soon as the palace calms him down (ika nga, mahimasmasan), he’ll be forced to keep quiet for his own good.

    (i don’t know what the bit was with him nominating nograles for speaker, maybe it was out of tradition, but it seemed jarring after being booted out.)

    at any case, we are being regaled with the increased probability of the empress not stepping down beyond 2010.

  7. Well, JDV should have learned very early on that you cannot sleep with the Devil and not be damned.

    Since he is a self-confessed “sinner”, let him now recite the long “litany” of his and GMA’s sins against the Filipino people so that justice can be finally served.

  8. (Sigh) Perhaps it’s too much to ask for JDV to now stand up, present evidence and testify against top level corrupt officials. In case he does, then at least perhaps his soul may still be declared “partly savageable”. Maybe the father will learn some lessons from his son.

  9. Jon:

    That’s what baffles me. I don’t understand how a political operator of the caliber of JdV could not have seen what, apparently, many of us did see. He must’ve been fooling himself.

  10. Kabayan,

    Pardon the pun, but I think JdV is quite aware that if he spills the beans, he will indeed be “salvageable.” 🙂

    Or…should he be worried that he is more “salvageable” now, since he hasn’t started talking yet?

  11. In a power game, the loser deserves a butt-kicking. Besides, JDV picked his hand (as in a card game) and played with it until (almost) the end. He only tried to fight back Malacanang when he saw that he was going to be whipped! He thoroughly deserves this “ending”. He badly misread his and his opponents’ cards.

    He looked like a sore loser during his last speech as the speaker, strengthening further the rebuttal question: why only now? He should have followed what Kabayan above said that he should have kept his cool and release evidence/s on Gloria’s hidden skeletons preferrably one at a time until 2010!

    whether he played his hand right or whether he looked like a sore loser in the end, all this would not have happened if JDV’s son had just kept quiet and not offended the Arroyos.

    that’s the bottom line.

  12. Mike,

    JDV was forewarned but took no heed. Perhaps he was confident of his diplomatic wheeling and dealing skills, too confident for his own good. He had played with his “threat” card that the Arroyo administration would not DARE remove him as he would spill the beans.

    He was unable to see the larger picture, that he is an obvious block to any attempts of Gloria or his sons to gain a possible Prime Ministership. JDV dragging his feet in radically pushing for Parliamentary Change did not help him any. Ironically, most Congressmen also fail to see that they are just as expendable. They cannot see beyond the Pork Barrel funds dangled in front of their noses.

    The game play here is GREED, the Pork Barrel and COMELEC control is the bait used by Gloria to lead the Congressmen and other politicians by the nose. Money and a guaranteed seat in power. This is also the reason why she should protect all COMELEC Commissioners guilty of cheating since all investigations “lead back to Rome” so to speak.

    Strategically speaking, except for key military and police officials, the rest are expendable. What is the use for excess politicians in a dictatorship except as dummies, rubber stamps and robots who does the bidding of a dictator? Cheaper and safer to maintain than the ambitious greedy ones right now wallowing in Congress.

    Of course most of the “yes men” Congressmen are too greedy to think in the first place.

  13. Thanks for linking me again, Manolo. It was not just vendetta, I truly believe that charter change has something to do with JdV’s ouster. I wouldn’t be surprised that another bombing or a scenario of lawlessness will be used to justify a declaration of martial law or a state of emergency.

    GMA and her tongress know too well that they cannot push for cha-cha in whatever means.

  14. The tragedy about De Venecia’s downfall is that he brought it upon himself. He thought that he had collected enough IOU’s from the Arroyo’s to get a golden handshake through the ZTE deal. Especially after his attempt at the railway project with the Chinese failed. He didn’t realize he would be outmuscled by Big Mike, Sleazy Ricky and Bumbling Ben, who were as close as can be with the source of power. JDV’s hubris blinded him so much that he allowed his son Joey to publicly sour-grape and raise a stink about the failed deal. Maybe, at some point, he had delusions that he couldn’t be touched. He failed to realize that he had outlived his usefulness to Malacañang.

    Well, reality can be harsh. Especially when one has been used to having his head up in the clouds, rubbing elbows with the rich and mighty.

    And, unless JDV can pull a mega surprise for the whole Filipino nation and the world, he doesn’t have any smoking gun or anything incriminating against the family he tried to be so servile to. That fact that they did him in should be proof enough that he doesn’t have anything substantial on the Arroyos. And if he hasn’t pulled out any rabbits or firecrackers from out of his magic hat so far, he probably doesn’t have them.

    Perhaps it isn’t surprising, but it’s sad nonetheless, that the person who replaces De Venecia is even more corrupt, ambitous, deceitful and power-hungry than JDV. Friends in Davao say Nograles is as ravenous and devious as they come. People from Nograles’ hometown say that Malacañang doesn’t know what it’s getting into. Nogie, as he’s known, will play along and make Mikey and the rest of the Arroyos think he will give them the bulk of the pork and do their bidding. But he’ll be sure to keep the best parts to himself and he’s really out there to take care only of himself. He has a bright smile, but with razor-sharp teeth behind it. He’s a lot more astute and street-smart than any of the Arroyos: father, sons or uncle. But in the meantime, he will earn his keep and gain their confidence.

    On the other hand, it may be precisely to Malacañang’s interest to have a slightly younger, more ambitious, more ravenous, more corrupt version of Joe De Venecia as the guardian of the House and keeper of its purse strings. This guy is hungry and eager to prove his mettle. He will surely, at least in the short term, be a lot more compliant, ruthless and servile. And in politics, it is all for the short term anyway. Nothing is permanent or long-lasting, not even friends and allies.

  15. Wow, Lozada arrives and promptly whisked away! Nakabantay pa sa NAIA ang senate police.

    Only the Palace has override over the senate! So it must be the palace who orchestrated this Lozada disappearance but I’m sure it will be denied too!

  16. Mike,

    Depending on how we define “salvage”, if it is the English definition, that is good for JDV. If it is the Filipino definition of “salvage”, that is really very bad for him 🙂

    Yeah spilling the beans and transferring 1,000 certified true copy of the documents and evidences to the opposition or civil society anti corruption movements would make him less salvageable, in the Filipino sense that is.

    After all, for a guy with such wealth, a thousand certified true copies would be a drop in the bucket compared to the current threats to his life while he haven’t yet spilled the beans.

  17. When Ramos & Enrile spilled the beans on Marcos which started EDSA 1, many asked, “why did they talk only now”?

    When Chavit spilled the beans on Erap which started EDSA 2, many asked, “why did he speak only now”?

    When JdV spilled the beans on Arroyo last night, many are again asking, “why did he speak only now”?

    It takes a thug to squeal on a fellow thug. The question is not “why..only now?” The point is it had to be now !

  18. Jon,

    At least Lozada was not shot on the tarmac … yet.

    Several decades ago, someone that most of us know was not so lucky.

  19. What happened to JDV is actually a reality check for GMA. She cannot trust anybody even her best of friends and lapdogs and neither can she expect from any would-be president even from her camp to protect her once she loses her immunity from lawsuit. This bolsters the suspicion that she will do anything come hell or high water to extend her term beyond 2010.

  20. “It takes a thug to squeal on a fellow thug. The question is not “why..only now?” The point is it had to be now !” – chabeli
    ____________________

    The truth knows no tense.

  21. As the saying goes the speakership is only of 1 vote it is of the President’s and from the way things are going GMA knew that JDV could give her headaches in the future but she also knows that by the time JDVis out she could buy time to deflect the pressure coming from JDV and his allies and lest we forget if GMA is successfully impeached with the help of JDV then it would make Noli more powerful than he is and 2010 is not far away if Noli assumes the post then Villar and Mar would be at a great disadvantage and the playing field would not be equal so from here GMA know what would happen remember she’s cunning. She’s still standing with enemies slayed along the way do we need further proof.

  22. Don’t celebrate yet. People do not like whistleblowers.

    Hyatt 10 or 12. nasaan na sila?
    Chavit Singson did not win the election.

    Other whistleblowers were blown by the wind to oblivion.

    Si JDV pa?

    Bet?

    The wife was always with GMA’s travel entourage one day. The next day she would be in the other camp. Loyalty? my foot.

    JPE was scared for his life.

    Chavit Singson fell out of Erap’s favor.

    JDV’s meltdown was caused by the son who was denied of the NBN deal.

    Sheesh.

  23. Only a handful of people in the know really believe that JDV can do anything to hurt GMA, and it is wishful for the opposition to think that JDV is a catalyst in deposing/exposing the Arroyos.

    JDV is a GMA lapdog and will always be a GMA lapdog! If anything, JDV is now looking for ways to get back into GMA’s good graces.

    As far as GMA goes, only one kind of explosive event will work to bring her down to hell. It is the type that literally makes a loud noise.

  24. Uhm what sort of “smoking gun” are we expecting from JDV? And really, would it matter at all? I mean, we already have loads and loads of smoking guns against the Arroyos, yet these have hardly made a dent. And a truly explosive “smoking gun” can shoot fire up people’s asses and the people would hardly notice, much less care enough to do something about it.

    All hail the Magnificent, Adorable Empress GMA! We better get used to saying that ngayon pa lang.

  25. very insightful analysis, Manolo!

    i can only add:
    no more Ramos’ foreign-funded grand coalition (LPs against ChaCha), no more Ermita generals, no more KAMPI (Villafuerte lording over Puno?), no more Arroyo security after 2010!:)

  26. “It takes a thug to squeal on a fellow thug. The question is not “why..only now?” The point is it had to be now !” – Chabeli

    The truth is good anytime. God rewards also those who wait.

  27. One of the lessons to be learned in this is :
    Loose lips sink ships.

    The son demonstrated that the father had lost control.

  28. For today’s reflection, a reading from the book of Prophet Miriam Defensor Santiago…

    “Ang pinag-aaway-awayan lang naman dito ay mga kickbacks….”

    As it was during the ZTE hearing, so it is with this JDV ouster.

    (Kiko Pangilinan, are you NOTING this down?)

  29. @qwert and Kabayan: For a clearer understanding of some of the GMA strategies, go read Robert Greene : “The 33 Strategies of War”.

    One such principle says that if one is in a position of weakness, then taking prisoners is not an option. The action to immediately lop off the heads of the leaders of the opposition is simply a matter of conserving resources.

  30. Let’s watch how FVR does in the coming days. With the ouster of JDV and by association, he’s next for demolition and will be in the way in the power consolidation of the four Arroyos of the Apocalypse (Mike, Mikee, Dato, Iggy).

    FVR and his old loyal clique such as the relatively benign presence of Ermita are the only ones keeping this administration legit, and the demolition job may have started already, with Ermita’s pending removal from Malacanang. Unlike JDV and his cohorts, FVR and his minions are not strictly politicians who GMA could coop or destroy in the traditional way.

    If the Arroyos move against FVR, it is not likely that FVR and his boys would join the so-called opposition led by Lacson and Erap. A strong third force in the offing, brewing without the desperation of a Trillanes caper? I hope so — to which the patient, waiting middle classes and the general public can finally throw its lot in this whole ordeal that has dragged on since 2005.

    I agree Shaman, “The truth is good anytime. God rewards also those who wait”.

  31. On the ligher side: Miriam Santiago remarked that “karma” came swiftly for JDV. She suggested that JDV be offered an ambassardorship to Indonesia, Iraq or Afghanistan as “he is an expert in inter-faith dialogues”.

    Hahahaha!

    Oh Miriam just cracks me up. After Imelda, she has the best sense of satire in this part of the world.

  32. To those who expect JDV to wash GMA’s dirty linen in the coming days, continue masturbating because it will only happen in your wet dreams.

    Yesterday’s valedictory speech can be paraphrased as “Watch out Malacañang, I still got an ace up my sleeve, so better have a good offer.”

  33. Who possesses ALL the power WITHOUT the headaches? Ronaldo Puno!

    GMA — ceremonial President and/or decorative Prime Minister

    Everybody else, here today…. gone tomorrow….

    Martial Law declaration? It’s entirely up to R. Puno!

  34. I feel a shiver run down my spine when I imagine this New Philippine Parliament.

    As a keen miron/tambay at Prime Ministers Question Time during Blairs premiership (Wednesdays), I was impressed with the barrage of insults, jibes, sarcastic remarks and whatnot that are thrown. So far, I have not seen anyone lose his/her temper or speak out of turn and even the PM stops if the Speaker asks.

    Now, knowing that we are pikon, and that GMA easily loses her temper, I support our shift to parliamentary form if only for amusement value of watching our MPs start punching each other like they do in Taiwan.

  35. Warning to ALL Pinoys:We must remain vigilant.

    The election of a new speaker clearly indicates that they will revive the CHARTER CHANGE plan,to find clever ways to extend Gloria’s hold on power.We must not allow this.

    Elections for a new president must proceed as scheduled in 2010.

    Forewarned is forearmed!

  36. Manolo: I would like to share an interesting comment by recent reader of my blog:

    “Buti nga natanggal na yang JDV na yan! Napakakurakot nyan sa Congress. Taga House ako kaya alam ko. Kung di pa nagreklamo mga empleyado eh di pa nya ibibigay yung bonus na nirelease ng DBM para sa mga empleyado. Pati pera ng mga empleyado pinaginteresan pa! Pag pumunta ka sa bahay nila bago sya napalitan eh breakfast, lunch at dinner catered food charged to HOR funds lahat. Mga maid nyan naka payroll lahat sa HOR. Dami pang consultants kuno na mga ghost employees naman. Hay, what moral revolution is he talking about?! Grabe, kinikilabutan ako sa mga pinagsasabi nya. Mahiya naman siya! Sa Congress pa nga lang saksakan na ng kurakot, pano pa kaya kung naging presidente sya? Sour graping lang yan!”

  37. We keep on forgetting the FVR angle. He may look senile but lets not forget who calmed things down during that february coup thingie. 🙂

    JDV and FVR are tight diba? do you think the old man will just take this sitting down? do you really think the arroyos can really out muscle old grandpa philippines 2000?

    Its easy to dismiss FVR but dont forget who helped brought down his own cousin, saved a lady in distress, ousted a so called thug and again always on a lady’s side when she needed help.

    Also more than enough generals and officers are ilokanos too.

  38. Much as I would like to believe that FVR can put a stop to this rotten regime, I fear that GMA neutralized (or neutered?) him a long time ago. Had he had any capability left, wouldn’t he have prevented his buddy from being so ignominiously ousted?

    Sure, Ermita might bite the dust, but what can FVR do about it?

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