IN politics there are no permanent friends, only permanent interests.

This saying holds true as the most trusted allies of former Speaker Jose de Venecia voted for the motion of Rep. Kahlil Abraham Mitra (NPC, Palawan) to in effect oust him.

The vote was 174-36, with 16 abstentions.

Of the almost a hundred Lakas members at the House, more than 60 voted to unseat him.

De Venecia’s face turned sour upon hearing that majority leader Arthur Defensor (Iloilo) and senior deputy majority leader Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong) joined those who voted "yes."

In explaining his vote, Defensor said he merely wanted to ventilate the issue and give the calls for a change in the House leadership a chance.

Gonzales said they were only exercising democracy. "In all parliaments, it’s always a numbers game. You don’t even have to reason."

The others who abandoned De Venecia were Janette Garin (Lakas, Iloilo); Exequiel Javier (Lakas, Antique), chair of the powerful committee on ways and means; Junie Cua (LP, Quirino); Matias Defensor (Lakas, Quezon City), chair of the committee on justice; Monico Puentevella (Lakas, Bacolod City); Roberto Cajes (Lakas, Bohol); Fred Castro (LP, Capiz); Antonio Diaz (Lakas, Zambales); Jesus Crispin Remulla (Lakas, Cavite); Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (KBL, Ilocos Norte); Aileen Ermita (Lakas, Batangas), a daughter of Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita; Judy Syjuco (Lakas, Iloilo); Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado (Lakas, Bulacan); and Sharee Ann Tan (Lakas, Western Samar); Edwin Uy (Lakas, Isabela); Rene Velarde of Buhay party-list and Manuel "Way Kurat" Zamora (Lakas, Compostela Valley).

Of those who voted "No," 25 were from Lakas led by deputy speakers Eric Singson (Luzon); Raul del Mar (Visayas); Simeon Datumanong (Mindanao); Edcel Lagman (Albay), chair of the committee on appropriations; Rep. Antonio Cuenco (Cebu), Bienvenido Abante (6th District, Manila); Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo); Mauricio Domogan (Baguio City); Julio Ledesma (Negros Occidental); Del de Guzman and Marcelino Teodoro (Marikina City); and Eduardo Zialcita (Parañaque).

Rep. Cynthia Villar (NP, Las Piñas), wife of Senate President Manuel Villar, also voted "no" along with Bayan Muna Reps. Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño who said that they do not expect the House to be independent from Malacañang under Nograles’ leadership.

Rep. Didagen Dilangalen (PMP, Shariff Kabunsuan and Cotabato City), injected humor by voting "no" after taking potshots at De Venecia for his litany of graft and corruption accusations against the government in his earlier privilege speech.

Dilangalen elicited laughter from both his colleagues and the gallery when he said that he could vote in favor of De Venecia’s ouster if all seats would be declared vacant.

‘LAKAS WON’T DISINTEGRATE’

Ed Malay, public relations adviser of former President Fidel Ramos, Lakas chairman emeritus, said the ouster of De Venecia had an impact on the party but will not lead to its disintegration.

"This is only a temporary setback. The foundation of the party is strong enough to weather this conflict," Malay said.

Malay said Lakas-CMD was "surprised" by De Venecia’s ouster as it was optimistic that his leadership had the backing of President Arroyo.

He said the party is in the process of consultation to prepare the members of the agenda for the national directorate meeting.

The meeting, earlier scheduled for tomorrow, has been deferred.

Malay was tight-lipped when asked about the impact on Lakas if De Venecia joins the opposition and about the present relations between Lakas and Kampi.

Malay said there could be some movements from the administration party to the opposition "but this is very minimal and will have no impact at all to the continued viability of Lakas as a major political party."

Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said De Venecia could be stripped of his position as president of the Lakas-CMD if he joins the opposition. – Wendell Vigilia, Ashzel Hachero and Evangeline de Vera