BY WENDELL VIGILIA

STEP down. Save face.

This was the advice yesterday of Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, president Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), to Speaker Jose de Venecia to spare himself the humiliation of being ousted by a floor vote on Monday.

Villafuerte said members of the party, which was founded by President Arroyo, unanimously decided in a meeting Wednesday to withdraw support from De Venecia.

Kampi has at least 50 members at the House.

Villafuerte, who is also head of the so-called reform bloc, said 134 congressmen – including Representatives Juan Miguel "Mikey" Arroyo of Pampanga, his brother Diosdado of Camarines Sur, and their uncle Ignacio of Negros Occidental – have already signed a manifesto declaring their loss of confidence on De Venecia’s leadership and withdrawing their support.

De Venecia remained in a fighting mood, saying his opponents do not have the numbers.

"They are under the gun and they are pressured to produce warm bodies on the floor. There’s going to be a floor fight," he said.

De Venecia is convinced that his son Joey’s damaging statements against presidential spouse Jose Miguel Arroyo is the reason behind the attempt to oust him.

"Siguro nga. Wala akong problema dati. Nagkaroon ako ng malaking problema nang i-denounce ng anak ko ang ZTE," he said.

Palace officials distanced themselves from the House leadership fight, saying the administration would not be affected because De Venecia’s replacement would also come from Lakas.

But they were no longer talking about the supposed orders of President Arroyo to keep De Venecia in his post.

Rep. Prospero Nograles of Davao City is reportedly being eyed by the anti-De Venecia camp as the next speaker.

Chief presidential legal counsel Sergio Antonio Apostol, who is also Lakas spokesman, said the Palace and party leaders will let the congressmen thresh out their differences among themselves.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye, another Lakas member, said the leadership row is "internal" to the House and the Palace would "respect" whatever action that the majority would take.

Villafuerte said of the 134 signatories to the anti-De Venecia manifesto, 56 came from Kampi and the rest came from the Nationalist People’s Coalition, Liberal Party and some independent and party-list congressmen.

A simple majority of 120 signatories is needed to oust De Venecia.

"We have already exceeded the majority. As explained by Speaker Jose de Venecia himself – which was a challenge to us – whoever can present to him 121 signatures, he will step down," Villafuerte said.

Rep. Antonio Cerilles (NPC, Zamboanga del Sur), also a member of the reform bloc, said it would be best for De Venecia to concede,

"If he truly cares for the House of Representatives, Speaker de Venecia will step down and allow the groups who want restore the good image of the House and reinvent Congress. Now is the time for change," he said.

House minority leader Ronaldo Zamora said only the President can save De Venecia from ouster.

"Absolutely, isang boto lamang naman ditto. Kung ano ang boto ng Presidente, iyan ang boto ng lahat. Sa tingin ko, whether Nograles or De Venecia, ang boto nila ay nakataya kung saan pupunta si Pangulong Arroyo," he said.

Manila Rep Amado Bagatsing, who was among the first House members to call for the ouster of De Venecia, said, it was time to replace the Speaker.

"De Venecia has not offered anything but patronage politics, has not shown exemplary leadership as evidenced by a lot of his relatives dominating juicy contracts which he can squeeze using his influence, time to look for a leader who can inspire," he said.

"There are just too many House members who don’t trust Mr. De Venecia now. If not now, when?" he added.

Bagatsing said De Venecia’s failure to institute reforms, more than his failure to stop his son, is bringing the Speaker down.

"JDV should now accept that his time has passed, he should step down now voluntarily before he is voted out of office," he said.

Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla (NPC) urged De Venecia nominate his successor in a "heroic gesture."

"He should make the supreme sacrifice by giving way to diffuse the tension in the House and keep it going so it can fully concentrate on serving our people," he said.