Alleba Politics

Former speaker Jose de Venecia Jr was once Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s staunchest defender and ally. But after his son, Joey de Venecia revealed the First Gentleman Mike Arroyo’s alleged involvement in the controversial ZTE National Broadband Deal (NBN) de Venecia has been cast out of Arroyo’s inner circle.

Prospero Nograles now holds the esteemed position of House Speaker and number one Arroyo ally.

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has now called upon the older de Venecia to testify regarding GMA’s involvement in the NBN deal. After weeks of speculation whether he will testify or not, De Venecia has confirmed that he will testify. According to De Venecia, “I have a lot to say, ZTE-related and non-ZTE-related instances of corruption under the Arroyo administration.” It seems like De Venecia that his testimony can bring Arroyo’s regime down to its knees.

Not so long ago, Luis “Chavit” Singson, a spurned Estrada ally and gambling buddy, testified regarding Estrada’s involvement in Jueteng operations and his other corruption involvements. We all know how that turned out.

Is De Venecia Arroyo’s Singson? Probably so. But how much is De Venecia willing to tell without jeopardizing his and his friends’ own reputation and political career? Will the people support De Venecia? Will there be another “People Power Revolution?”

De Venecia, I think, will be spilling a lot of beans, and a lot of things that have been suspected of Arroyo and her family, may be finally confirmed to be true. There might even be a few surprises. But it’s best not to underestimate Arroyo and her team. They have weathered the “Hello Garci” controversy, among others, not because they were on the side of truth and justice. Arroyo is neither smart nor wise. She is cunning.

And even if De Venecia drops some serious accusations against Arroyo, I doubt (unfortunately) that people will rally behind him. How many of us are really willing to replace Arroyo with Noli De Castro?

I do not discourage De Venecia from testifying. But I discourage people from expecting too much out of it. Arroyo can dodge even the truth.

Bookmark on del.icio.us

• The NBN Drama Goes On
• The Greedy Group
• All Eyes on Romulo Neri
• Arroyo Speaks on the NBN Deal
• I’ll Believe It, When I See It