Explanation of NO Vote to the Motion to Declare the Position of Speaker Vacant

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy A. Casiño
February 4, 2008

Mr. Speaker,

The motion to declare the position of the Speaker vacant is being made because the Speaker’s son decided to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the anomalous ZTE-NBN contract. He is being replaced unceremoniously because the Arroyo bloc in the House which includes 3 congresspersons, and the President herself wants to discard a loyal lieutenant whose hands they suspect to have dipped itself into the cookie jar once too often, and whose differences with the President and personal ambitions cause Malacañang and the First Family sleepless nights.

Let us call a spade a spade. Magpakatotoo po tayo. Ang pagpapatalsik kay Speaker de Venecia ay pakana ng Malacañang para higit pang kontrolin ang Kamara. Anumang reporma o pagbabago daw na itinutulak ng mga kakampi ng Presidente ay pagbabago para sa kapakanan ng administrasyon, para sa kapakanan ng Presidente. Ayaw ng Malacañang ng congressional investigations, ayaw ng Palasyo ng impeachment, ayaw ng Unang Pamilya ng kaagaw sa mga kontrata mula Tsina. Kaya ayaw na nila kay Speaker de Venecia.

Mr. Speaker, hindi po lamang simpleng away o grudge fight ito sa pagitan ng mga Arroyo at de Venecia, although that’s what it initially appears to be. This is a fight for control in the House. Malacañang wants to control the House even more than it did under Speaker de Venecia’s leadership.

Gusto ng Malacañang na kontrolin ang Kamara nang higit pa sa kontrol nila ilalim ng liderato ni Speaker de Venecia. Bakit? Alam nyo nang lahat kung bakit.

To get away with murder and all the other crimes committed by this administration. Yan po ang tunay na issue rito. Ano ba ang pakinabang ng karaniwang tao sa usaping ito? Wala.

Iisa lang ang sigurado, mas malaki ang magiging utang na loob sa Malacañang ang papalit kay Speaker de Venecia.

In this light, I vote no to the motion not because I want a de Venecia leadership – and the records will show we have opposed him all the way – but to oppose a plot that would make Congress not only Malacañang’s rubber stamp, but its partner in crime.

I have always believed that Congress should be independent from the Executive and serve as a check and balance against its abuses. Today we bury the House’s integrity as a separate branch of government. That is why I’m wearing my black barong, Mr. Speaker, to mourn for this House.

Again I vote NO to the motion.