Women solons back De Venecia’s House leadership bid

Three newly elected female legislators on Thursday joined the group supporting Jose de Venecia in his bid for a fifth term as Speaker in the incoming 14th Congress. Aside from the female legislators, two veteran lawmakers, Rep. Danilo Suarez, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, and Rep. Ferjenel Biron, challenged those who wish to run for Speaker to present their legislative program and not rely on media to promote their candidacy. De Venecia welcomed the support of Reps. Tricia Bonoan-David of Manila’s 4th District, Rep. Zenaida Angping of Manila’s 3rd District and Rep. Nikki Prieto-Teodoro of Tarlac. They joined the De Venecia bandwagon composed of lawmakers belonging to the six major political parties making up the House Majority Coalition. The political parties are Lakas Christian-Muslim Democrats (Lakas CMD), Kampi, Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Liberal Party-Atienza Wing, Laban ng Demokratikong Pilipino and PDSP. De Venecia, who handily won re-election in Pangasinan’s 4th District, is aiming for an unprecedented fifth term as Speaker. De Venecia also enjoys the support of half-a-dozen party-list organizations that signed a coalition agreement with Lakas CMD weeks before the May 14 elections. Those who have declared support for de Venecia said he is the “best equipped by his track record and strong political will, by his understanding of the parliamentary process, his broad legislative experience, his standing in the Asian and international community, and his conciliatory spirit to steer the make-or-break Legislative Program through the Fourteenth Congress." - Fidel Jimenez, GMANews.TV