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By Sammy Martin, Correspondent
EMBATTLED Pangasinan Rep. Jose de Venecia Jr.
said over the weekend that he would not leave Lakas-Christian Muslim
Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the party he helped found and led for many
years.
The ousted former House Speaker said he
preferred to remain a Lakas member, and dismissed speculations that
he will move to opposition camp.
He admitted that the pressure to vacate the
party presidency post is very strong, and the Lakas National
Directorate meeting’s main agenda on Monday is to replace him.
De Venecia, however said he is in no mood to
leave Lakas. He prefers to relegate himself as an actively
participating member than just be a figurehead when Lakas, that he
and former President Fidel Ramos formed in the early 90s, ousts him.
After de Venecia made a disgustful privileged
speech against President Gloria Arroyo hours before he was
officially forced out as Speaker, opposition stalwarts predicted
that de Venecia would leave Lakas and seek refuge in the opposition.
Dominant voices in Lakas said they want de
Venecia replaced as party president after he openly opposed the
party’s chairwoman, Mrs. Arroyo.
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