The Philippine Online Chronicles

Pampanga Representative-elect Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo “can live without” being the Philippines' next House Speaker, Lakas-Kampi vice-president Prospero Pichay said yesterday.

The former congressman added that Arroyo does not view the Speakership as a priority and that she is willing to “become a statesman” and give way to other Speakership prospects from the incumbent administration party.

The other Lakas-Kampi hopefuls for the Lower House's top post are Albay Representative Edcel Lagman, Sr., Quezon Representative Danilo Suarez, and Cavite Representative Elpidio Barzaga, Jr.

Pichay clarified, though, that the said Lakas-Kampi Speakership prospects are “willing to give way” if Arroyo will change her mind and run for House Speaker.

Lakas-Kampi secretary-general Raymundo Roquero said that Arroyo was “serious” when she said she will not run as House Speaker in the last Lakas-Kampi meeting last week. Pichay even described Arroyo's stand as “stubborn.”

Arroyo in 2002 announced that she will not run for President in the 2004 Presidential elections. Nonetheless, she ran in the said elections where she was declared winner by Congress.

Arroyo's partymate Prospero Nograles is the outgoing House Speaker.

Belmonte is LP's bet

Meanwhile, outgoing Quezon City (QC) mayor and QC fourth district Representative-elect Feliciano Belmonte is the official House Speaker candidate of the Liberal Party (LP) in the 15th Congress, LP president Senator Mar Roxas said yesterday.

“We will support him, we will campaign for him and I am confident that he will emerge as the Speaker,” said Roxas, who is currently in contention for Vice President.

The decision came in an LP caucus last night, where erstwhile House Speaker prospect Quezon Representative Lorenzo Tañada III dropped his own Speakership bid to give way to Belmonte's.

A former Lakas member, Belmonte joined LP when President-apparent Senator Noynoy Aquino announced his presidential bid last year.

Lakas-Kampi open to LP alliance?

Furthermore, Lakas-Kampi Speakership bet Barzaga disclosed in a Philippine Star article that his party is open to an alliance with LP.

“Our options are open, including a possible alliance with the LP and other political groups,” Barzaga said.

He added that he will not be surprised with Lakas-Kampi members allying with LP in order to gain access for pork barrel funds.

“They have to think of their constituents, of projects they could bring to their districts. It is Malacañang that releases pork barrel funds,” Barzaga said.

Aquino is expected to be proclaimed by Congress as winner in the just-concluded Presidential elections and is currently holding a five-million-vote lead against former President Joseph Estrada in unofficial tallies. Once assuming the Presidency, Aquino has the executive privilege in distributing the pork barrel, formally known as the Priority Development Assistance Fund, for senators and congressmen.