Defensor vows to oppose moves to boot JDV out of Lakas-CMD

MANILA, Philippines - Despite their differing stances on the impeachment complaint, Quezon City Rep. Matias Defensor on Thursday said he will oppose any move within the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) to expel Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr from the political party. In a press conference, Defensor said he does not have ill feelings toward the former House Speaker despite his damaging testimonies against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who also sits as Lakas-CMD chairman. "I have no ill feelings toward the (former) Speaker... Yan ang aming foundation ng Lakas and kahit papano he contributed much (to the organization). I will be the first one to stand by him, for him," said Defensor. On Wednesday, Lakas-CMD president Prospero Nograles said the party will hold an executive meeting next week to deliberate on De Venecia's status within the party. Nograles, however, said he has begged off presiding over the meeting, saying the party's secretary-general, Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Quezon City Mayor Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr will likely preside jointly over the meeting. "Out of delicadeza (propriety), I don't want to preside over something like that," Nograles told reporters in an interview. De Venecia is one of the endorsers of the latest impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, which the House Justice committee dismissed as "insufficient in substance" on Wednesday. - Johanna Camille Sisante, GMANews.TV