speakership

As of this writing, lawmakers are still voting for the fate of House Speaker Jose De Venecia. The yes votes are now more than a hundred and most probably the motion to declare the speakership position vacant will be approved.

It has been weeks since the issue of the ousting JDV surfaced- in TV, radio and print. Congressmen and women, mostly from the administration, have been planning to oust JDV ever since. And now, it seems it would be a reality as JDV's term as House speaker is coming to an end.

JDV has been speaker for 5 terms, the longest in Philippine history. And if he is ousted or if he resigns, it would also be the first in history. Lawmakers say that the reasons for changing JDV is reforms and transparency. But these lawmakers never mentioned what changes they want. These lawmakers never said why they want to oust JDV. It is clear that the reason is politically motivated... all in the interest of personal reasons.

They want change, but they only want to oust JDV. Why not change all positions and declare all positions in the House vacant, as what is suggested by JDV. If they think JDV lacks some skills or if they think JDV is an old politician. If they think he is not competent anymore, why not change the entire system? Why just change one position? It would be better if all positions should be declared vacant. With just changing the House speakership- it is obvious that it's not the issue of reforms, but of personality. It is not the issue of change, but of JDV himself.

JDV's son accused First Gentleman Mikey Arroyo in the ZTE scabdal. And now, Pres. Arroyo's sons, who are also congressmen, are in the forefront of ousting JDV. It is clear this is a personal thing. It is clear this is a vendetta.

It is scary to know that if JDV exits, then Malacanang will have more control in the House of Representatives. The next possible candidate is Davao Cong. Prospero Nograles, who is a staunch ally of the president. One cannot yet say if he would be a good speaker or a worst one.

This voting system of the congress shows that democracy works, since the legislators vote for who they want to lead. But the question is, what is behind their votes? It is obvious that these lawmakers, most of them, only voted based on their party's position and not for the benefit of their constituents. Hopefully... just hopefully, money was not involved in all these.

JDV is not the best, but he sure was a good statesman. As of this writing, the yes votes rose to more than the minimum requirement. Only 121 votes are needed to oust JDV. Now the votes have reached more than 130. In effect, JDV is ousted... the first in the country. Hopefully, the next one would be a lot better.

For now, it is a prayer of all Filipinos that whoever becomes the new speaker, he or she would help make the country more bearable for Filipinos through better laws.

One can't tell if all these proceedings and debate in Congress are actually helping the majority of Filipinos.