BY WENDELL VIGILIA

ALLIES of Speaker Jose de Venecia yesterday thwarted an "attempt" to oust him by abruptly adjourning the session, giving him another four days to prepare for a full-blown battle over the speakership.

Deputy speaker for the Visayas Raul del Mar, the presiding officer, immediately banged the gavel on the motion to adjourn of Rep. Janette Garin (Lakas, Iloilo).

Garin said she moved for the adjournment because Rep. Bienvenido Abante (Lakas, Manila) would not entertain questions on his speech in which he lambasted those behind the alleged plot to unseat De Venecia.

At least 189 congressmen were present shortly about 6 p.m. when Abante was delivering his speech. Their number was enough to install a new Speaker.

The 30-member minority bloc said Garin’s move was obviously orchestrated to frustrate any plan to replace the Speaker.

"This was obviously an adjournment in aid of the Speaker," said Cibac party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva.

Abante said he merely ventilated the issue because the plenary was the right venue to discuss it.

"I urge them to bring their call to the plenary on the plans to oust the Speaker. If they have the numbers, then let’s move on with it in the plenary. That’s the essence of democracy," he told reporters.

Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte, president of the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino, hinted that De Venecia’s leadership will last only until next week.

Kampi, which has at least 30 members, was set to meet last night to decide who they will support.

"We have to consult. Whether for or against, it has to be unanimous. We hope there will be a consensus by next week," Villafuerte said.

Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis (Kampi) said 130 congressmen have signified their intention to sign the manifesto against De Venecia. He said the manifesto contained at least 70 names.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita called for a stop to the infighting in the House to preserve harmony in the Lakas party.

"I wish that these noises or grumblings if any could stop so that we can have political stability," he said.

Ermita, Lakas chairman for Southern Tagalog, said he is looking forward to February 7, when the Lakas-CMD directorate meets for its 15th anniversary and to hopefully iron out differences among party members and officials.

Ermita said those reportedly supporting the possible speakership bid of Davao City Rep. Prospero Nograles do not have the numbers.

He said the NBN-ZTE issue "should not be used anymore to try to fan any discontent" among those who are against De Venecia.

"What is important here is we know that the President and Speaker De Venecia are getting along well. What we are preparing for is how to strengthen the ruling party, especially during the Lakas directorate assembly."

Asked whether Arroyo and De Venecia have settled their differences over the ZTE issue, he said: "I guess so, yes."

He said De Venecia’s alliance is "very very important" to Arroyo because Lakas-CMD would want to maintain control of leadership in the House, as the dominant party in the administration coalition.

He said Lakas’ continued control of the House would ensure the passage of Malacañang’s priority bills. – With Regina Bengco