Palace blames JDV's 'failure of leadership' for ouster move

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez lashed at Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. for taking postshots at President Arroyo, saying the sorry state of the House of Representatives is a result of the Speaker's “failure of leadership." Golez, in a text message sent to reporters Monday evening, said there is “much to contest in the Speaker's privilege speech," especially since President Arroyo has not meddled in the affairs of the House. “The wrangling in the House...is because of (the) failure of his leadership," Golez said. He added: "We wonder why he would move his argument to the President when in fact he is having problems with his colleagues." “Why all the bickering now when members of his flock are starting to lose his trust and confidence?" Golez said. De Venecia earlier accused Mrs Arroyo of orchestrating a vote to oust him because his son had implicated the President's husband in a corruption scandal. De Venecia has been Speaker for 12 years, becoming one of Mrs Arroyo's most trusted allies. He mobilized lawmakers to defeat three opposition attempts to impeach her on allegations of vote-rigging, corruption and human rights abuses. - GMANews.TV