‘Young Turks in House backing De Venecia’

Most of the so-called "young Turks" and neophytes in the House of Representatives are supporting Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr. in his comeback bid as Speaker, his chief strategist said yesterday.

Rep. Joey Salceda (Lakas, Albay) said his candidate now enjoys an "overwhelming majority" to reclaim his old post.

De Venecia was Speaker for six years during the Ramos administration.

Salceda said the Pangasinan congressman has the vote of 90 percent of the young and new faces in the House, including members of the so-called Spice Boys, and 34 of 37 congresswomen.

The Spice Boys members supporting De Venecia are Juan Miguel Zubiri of Bukidnon, Federico Sandoval II of Malabon-Navotas, Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte;

Enrico Echiverri of Caloocan City, J. Mayo Almario of Davao Oriental, Magtanggol Gunigundo I of Valenzuela, and Alan Peter Cayetano of Taguig-Pateros.

The young faces who have cast their lot with De Venecia include William Fuentebella of Camarines Sur, Nanette Daza and Chuck Mathay of Quezon City, Sherwin Gatchalian of Valenzuela;

Francisco Perez II and Eileen Ermita Buhain of Batangas, Aurelio Umali of Nueva Ecija, Choy Roco of Camarines Sur, and Teodoro Etong (better known as Ted Failon) of Leyte.

Salceda also dismissed criticisms made by De Venecia’s opponents that the former Speaker was splitting some committees, including the committee on transportation and communications, to accommodate his supporters.

"Having achieved a critical mass, the Sunshine Coalition has constituted a selection committee to systematically farm out leadership and membership positions in various committees based on track record, expertise, legislative balance, conflict of interest, and the tradition of seniority," he said.

Salceda admitted that there was a proposal to split the committee on transportation and communications into two panels, but that this was prompted by the desire for Congress to pull the country abreast with global trends.

He said there would be a committee on transportation and a separate committee on communications and information technology.

"This is not political accommodation nor a matter of political exigency," Salceda stressed.– Jess Diaz