AP News, February 5th, 2008
Philippine lawmakers ousted the powerful leader of the House of Representatives early Tuesday in a vote he alleged was orchestrated by former ally President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo because his son linked her husband to a corruption scandal.
Arroyo's dominant allies removed Jose de Venecia, the longest-serving House speaker in Philippine history, in a nationally televised session that extended to the early hours of the morning and highlighted a dangerous crack in her political coalition.
De Venecia, 71, served as House speaker for 12 years and became one of Arroyo's most trusted allies. He led lawmakers in crushing three opposition attempts to impeach her on allegations of vote-rigging, corruption and human rights abuses.
Their formidable alliance frayed when his son, Jose "Joey" de Venecia III — a losing bidder in a government broadband contract with a Chinese company — told a Senate inquiry last year that Arroyo's husband was promised a $70 million kickback from the deal.
He also claimed Arroyo's husband tried to force him to withdraw his bid, which was eventually scrapped. Jose "Mike" Miguel Arroyo has denied the allegation, but the testimony drove a wedge between the two powerful families and set the stage for the speaker's ouster.
In a speech before lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to declare the House speakership vacant, de Venecia stood by his son, slammed corruption in the government and accused Arroyo of ignoring his letter about an alleged death threat against him and his son after the testimony.
He said he was backing opposition efforts to expose government irregularities. He claimed, without elaborating, that he has knowledge of cheating in the 2004 presidential elections, which Arroyo won.
"What is happening in our country? Everything is for sale? Bribery and corruption. ... Is this the Philippines we want to call our country?" he said.
He later toned down his attack, saying he would praise Arroyo for her good deeds.
Arroyo spokesman Ignacio Bunye dismissed the allegations as "the ranting of a sore loser."
De Venecia's falling out with Arroyo could degenerate into a new political crisis if he makes good on his threat to expose corruption in the government, political analyst Ramon Casiple said.
"We're not talking here of an opposition member. He's an insider who knows so much. He has bombs that could inflict a decisive damage," Casiple told The Associated Press.
Many legislators, loyal to both Arroyo and de Venecia, struggled to choose between them, with one saying he felt like he was torn "between two lovers."
The five-hour vote ended with 174 legislators, led by Arroyo's two sons, in favor of removing de Venecia, with 35 opposed and 16 abstained.
A glum-looking de Venecia, his wife and son seated in the gallery, nominated his friend, Rep. Prospero Nograles, an Arroyo ally, to succeed him.
Elected unanimously, Nograles vowed to reform the House, which has gained a dismal reputation for political wheeling and dealing and corruption allegations against many of its members.
"It's been a long, tiring and emotional day for all of us. Now the issue is finally settled," Nograles said. "It's time to get back to work."
