De Venecia to back off from con-ass, says journalist

Speaker Jose de Venecia is set to announce Saturday morning that he is withdrawing support for a resolution passed by the House of Representatives to convene a constituent assembly that would amend the Constitution, said journalist Ellen Tordesillas in a blog posting late Friday evening. Tordesillas, a veteran political reporter who has covered Malacanang since the return of democracy in 1986, quoted sources in the Palace as saying that "De Venecia was forced to back off because if he refused, (President) Arroyo will issue a statement that she is not supporting the con-ass that will be convened on Tuesday." An aide of De Venecia confirmed to GMANews.TV that the Speaker will hold a press conference in Makati at ten o’clock Saturday morning. Tordesillas wrote that her source admitted the President "got worried when the Iglesia ni Cristo told her that they are joining the opposition to the con-ass." "The source said De Venecia will say that he is willing ‘to bow to the wishes of the people,’" Tordesillas wrote. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, in a text message to GMANews.TV, said "majority, mostly young congressmen, don’t want any shape or style of postponement of (the) May elections." Several lawmakers have reacted to the possibility that the May 2007 elections might be postponed to November if the constituent assembly is convened. "They want a plebiscite in February and (the) election of (a) new parliament in May," Salceda said. He, however, said he supports the constituent assembly. "No frills. No spice. In fact our entire family will not run for any position just to support my con-ass position," he said. When asked of his reaction, House minority leader Franci Escudero said: "Are [administration lawmakers] also against (the) removal of term limits(?) And if they are really against the process, then they should seek a reconsideration of (the) approval of amendment(s) and the resolution." The House of Representatives earlier passed a resolution convening Congress, even without the participation of the Senate, into a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution. Opposition Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano said he is "happy" that some members of the administration bloc "realize(d) the people(‘s) sentiment, but kulang pa." He said: "They should not support it at all. It’s not only what they want to change (but) it is also how and the manner of the change. People want (their) right to choose their president and don’t want (President Arroyo) to extend (her) term." Tordesillas quoted her source as saying that when President Arroyo "at first talked to [De Venecia] about not going through with his con-ass, the [Speaker] was adamant saying, ‘It’s now or never’." Tordesillas said another source said De Venecia was also prevailed upon to spare Arroyo the "painful chore" of disowning con-ass which she earlier endorsed. - GMANews.TV