LONG BEACH, CA - Former Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives Jose De Venecia on October 29 declared that two developments could derail the national elections slated in 2010, when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term would end. "Two things can prevent an election (in 2010). One, charter change, which Gloria is now pushing with hammer and thongs, and two, a declaration of martial law," De Venecia said during an early press conference convened here by Adz Diaz of the Pangasinan Brotherhood and Dan Nino, a Cerritos-based community journalist.
De Venecia is en route to Washington D.C. to attend a conference of an American organization of publishers and the launching next week of his authorized biography, The Global Filipino, which was written by Brett Decker, former senior editor and editorial writer of Wall Street Journal
"An election (in 2010) is what we are praying for. That’s what we are fighting for," said the erstwhile House Speaker who was deposed when his son, Jose, Jr. uncorked the so-called ZBT incident in the spring of this year. "This financial crisis, the (continued) fighting in Mindanao and the series of exposes (made) by think-tank organizations and the Joc Joc Bolante investigation could combine and could be the basis for a declaration of Martial Law," De Venecia said.
"We hope not. So many (Filipinos) are afraid; this is something that is bothering many Filipinos and the diplomatic and international communities," De Venecia added.
Before he left Manila this weekend, De Venecia endorsed an impeachment complaint that his son, Jose Jr. and leaders of so-called civil society in the Philippines that has filed in the House of Representatives recently. "The country was hoping that I would endorse the impeachment complaint," he told journalists. "I said that on the grounds of delicadeza I would not endorse it because it was filed by my son," De Venecia said. "Delicadeza is something that has disappeared as a virtue of Filipinos," he commented.
But he relented to endorse it anyway because the impeachment complaint was also signed by leaders of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), including Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, incumbent CBCP President; Archbishop Oscar Cruz of Pangasinan; Bishop Soc Villegas of Bataan and Bishops Bailon and Sora. "This impeachment complaint, under normal conditions, would have a little chance because three other complaints have been filed before; and I led in the killing of two of the complaints before," De Venecia revealed. This time around, De Venecia said that he felt compelled to affix his signature because it was also signed by leaders of the powerful and respected CBCP. Aside from signing the impeachment complaint, the CBCP hierarchy also has called for President Arroyo to step down to be replaced by younger and ethical leaders, or the creation of an alternative government.
"So, I hope that the congressmen would use their conscience and they would not be blinded by cash and pork barrel," the former Speaker said. "Sabi nga ni Erap Estrada before I left ‘Money is already flowing in Congress,’" De Venecia revealed. "If they are blinded by the glitter of gold, then the impeachment complaint is doomed."
"I made this endorsement before I left Manila this week; however, I was unable to sign it because it was a weekend. So when I arrive in Washington DC, I will ask the Consul General, either in D.C. or in San Francisco (when he flies back there next week), to attest to the endorsement of my written impeachment complaint," De Venecia revealed. The Philippine Congress will reconvene on November 10, but De Venecia would not be back in Manila by then as he will go to San Cristobal, Mexico to deliver a policy speech in a conference to be attended by 10 prime ministers and presidents from Latin America and Europe, on November 4 to 6, at the invitation of former Mexico President Vicente Fox.
"They still treat me like a senior member of the Philippine government although I am no longer the Speaker (of the House of Representatives)," De Venecia. He is currently the Chairman of the Christian Democrats International (CDI) in the Asia-Pacific region. One of his greatest legacies is the creation of the Philippines’ Dollar Remittance Program, which brings in $15 billion a year to the government coffers. (www.asianjournal.com)
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