oday is probably the last
day of Joe de Venecia as Speaker. Gloria Arroyo’s top lieutenants, led by
Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, have said the Palace would leave it to the
House members to sort out their differences. That’s as good as a go-ahead signal
for De Venecia’s enemies to proceed with their move to oust him in today’s
session.
De Venecia has expressed confidence that he has the needed
121 votes to keep his post in a showdown. While he’s probably just whistling in
the dark, we can’t dismiss the possibility of De Venecia pulling out another
trick up his sleeve. He is not known as The Venetian for nothing.
He is a survivor. He has served as Speaker for a record five
terms. He knows where the skeletons are buried. Gloria might just do an 11th
hour rescue for the sake of the survival of both of them and their allies.
De Venecia seeking to hide under the skirt of Arroyo? How
else since both of them have been partners in an administration whose overriding
principle is staying in power to continue enjoying the, ahem, privileges
appertaining thereto?
We could not believe our eyes when we read of a political nit
taunting De Venecia with the words, "Why hide under PGMA’s skirt?" Okay, Rep.
Mikey Arroyo of Pampanga is actually bigger than we described him to be. He is
Gloria’s first born. That must count for something, for we could not imagine him
running for barangay captain and winning on his own.
Mikey’s arrogance could only come from the sure knowledge
that Joe has lost the Palace’s mandate. He has reportedly signed his name on a
manifesto expressing loss of support for the current House leadership.
Reportedly signing with him were his brother Dato Arroyo of Camarines Sur and
their uncle Ignacio "Jose Pidal" Arroyo of Negros Occidental.
By now Joe should have read the writing on the wall. With
Mikey, Dato, Iggy and, not the least, Mike, arrayed against him, he is finished.
And speaking from the standpoint of the man on the street,
nothing could be more welcome than a falling out among the widely perceived
cheats, liars and thieves. The countdown for Gloria’s exit has started. If there
is one thing that can stop Gloria from doing her worst in the period remaining,
it’s the fear of more scandals erupting.
Despite the hurts Joe is feeling, we don’t expect him to turn
tattle-tale in the sunset of his political career. Even if he is no longer
Speaker, he and Gloria could still come to an accommodation.
The proverbial closeness among thieves, however, is no longer there. The
uncertainties, the possibility of being exposed or denounced might just stay the
hands of the sticky-fingered. Which is all we can hope for until 2010 comes.
