Nograles moves quickly to nip ouster bid in the bud

MANILA, Philippines – Speaker Prospero Nograles is moving quickly to nip the reported coup plot against him in the bud.

House sources told The STAR yesterday that Nograles has been meeting with supporters to consolidate their forces. He has asked them to keep their ears close to the ground so they would know if the alleged threats are serious.

He also met with Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno, who chairs Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), the political party President Arroyo founded in 1997 when she was a senator.

Kampi is the second largest political group in the House after the ruling Lakas, of which Nograles is president.

Puno had a dinner meeting with scores of Kampi congressmen last Monday, fueling rumors that a coup plot against Nograles was in the works.

A House leader close to Nograles said the Speaker regards Puno as an ally.

“Secretary Puno has always been supportive of the Speaker. Even on the matter of merging Lakas and Kampi, they both agree that such merger should materialize soon so that administration candidates in 2010 will have greater chances of victory,” the source said.

He said it is the group of Kampi president Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte that is opposing the planned merger.

“It is this group that is apparently rocking the boat in the House,” he added.

Deputy Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the coup rumors are coming from some House members who are aspiring for positions in the chamber and its committees.

“These are nothing. The rumors should not distract us. I think the Speaker continues to enjoy the support of the majority of House members,” he said.