BY WENDELL VIGILIA

CEBU Rep. Pablo Garcia yesterday said he will accept the post of minority leader if he loses to Speaker Jose de Venecia in the speakership race.

Garcia said some opposition congressmen who want to protect their interests have prodded him to do so.

"Those in the opposition are now telling me that in case I don’t make it, which at the moment is unlikely, they will ask me to keep the post of minority leader. Because knowing my relationship with the President, they can be sure that their interests will be protected," he said.

The 81-year-old Garcia would not identify the opposition congressmen.

Considered contenders for minority leader are San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla, party-list Rep. Joel Villanueva of Cibac, South Cotabato Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.

House tradition and rules dictate that a candidate for speaker who loses automatically becomes the minority leader.

Rep. Roilo Golez (Ind., Parañaque), the interim spokesman of the opposition bloc, has said Garcia’s plan, if it pushes through, "would be undemocratic, indecent and would make the Philippine House the laughing stock of the civilized world."

Garcia is a member of the administration party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi).

De Venecia, a member of Lakas-CMD, has already given his assurance that he would not accept the minority post if he loses.

Villanueva said the speakership battle between the two administration congressmen could be an administration plot to ease out the opposition bloc.

"Baka gusto nilang gawing company union ang Kongreso," he said, noting the challenge posted by Garcia smacks of such plan.

He dared Garcia to identify the opposition congressmen who are allegedly pushing him to accept the minority leader post.

De Venecia reiterated the need to hold a majority caucus to discuss the matter with Garcia and his camp.

"He said he has many supporters and that is also my claim. So now, we should have a caucus. If he has 124 signatures, I will stand up and move for his election as Speaker and I will then withdraw," said De Venecia.