Nograles is Now Speaker of the House
February 4th, 2008 at 9:33 pm (General, National Politics, Davao City)
As early as October 2007, there has been buzz that Davao City First District Representative Prospero “Boy” Nograles is going to replace long time Speaker of the House Jose de Venecia. Last night (and morning), the inevitable has happened. Nograles was voted as Speaker of the House amidst accusations, uncensored emotions, and loaded statements.
While some people are rejoicing Nograles’ place in history as the first Mindanaoan Speaker, the controversies connected to the change of speakership is hogging most of the limelight. It has been reported that each yes vote has PhP1 million in exchange.
Then, of course, there’s the countless accusations that de Venecia hurled towards Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her family. De Venecia, it must be acknowledged was a great factor in Arroyo’s ascent to power, and her hold on it despite dubious circumstances. Of course De Venecia was hurt.
But he is not entirely clean and innocent himself. His record as Speaker of the House is nothing stellar. And he is credited as the one who single-handedly derailed impeachment cases against Arroyo. He was an Arroyo ally, a strong and influential one who blurred the lines between the legislative and executive branches of government.
And so are we better of with Nograles? I don’t think so. If there’s a bigger Arroyo fanboy than De Venecia, it’s Nograles. I don’t think he became Congress Majority Floor Leader and Speaker based on his own merits. Rather, he got those positions by being Arroyo’s staunchest, most rabid defender.
Nograles, sadly, is my district’s representative. And it saddens me that he is our official representative to the rest of the Philippines. And what has he done to our district? He has adorned every street corner with the unsightly view of his face by putting up countless billboards around the district proclaiming his sponsorship of this and that.
Are we supposed to celebrate that De Venecia has vacated as the Speaker of the House? Yes. But are we to accept Nograles with open arms as his replacement? DEFINITELY NOT!
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ricomario said,
June 27, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Ang daling makalimot ng mga Pilipino.Nakalimutan nyo na ba kung sino yung tumatakbo ng naka under wear lang sa isang hotel dahil may kasamang ibang babae si Nograles at nahuli ng kanyang asawa.Nakakahiya ano.Pero ganyan talaga dito sa Pinas.Naging speaker pa nga e.Only in the Philippines kaya hangang ngayon mahirap na bansa pa rin tayo.Tama yung sabi ni Lee kuan Yee of Singapore.Filipinos are ignorants.Patay na sa gutom hindi pa rin umaalsa.Kayang kayang paikutin ng mga politiko.