By Lilybeth G. Ison
Pro-administration lawmakers on Thursday expressed confidence that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo would likely be elected as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Deputy Speaker and Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong said the Lakas-Kampi-CMD (Christian, Muslim, Democrats) is the biggest political party and it is expected that most of its candidates for Congress will win in the forthcoming May elections.
"It will not be difficult for PGMA (President Arroyo) who will be congresswoman in the 15th Congress to become the Speaker," he said.
Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson also said there is a big possibility of the President, if she becomes the representative of the Second District of Pampanga, to be House Speaker "if the Lakas-Kampi-CMD will be able to maintain majority" at the Lower Chamber.
Bulacan Rep. Lorna Silverio, for her part, said majority of those running for Congress belong to the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, so "there is no reason why majority would not choose PGMA as Speaker."
"She (Arroyo) is an efficient and hardworking leader. The legislative work is not new to her for she was a former Senator," she added.
Silverio stressed that the President will make history if chosen the first woman Speaker.
The fielding of President Arroyo by the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD as its candidate for Speaker was revealed by a staunch ally of the President, Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, who said that the President has a big chance to be elected next Speaker because of the more than 100 Lakas-Kampi-CMD congressmen seeking re-election in their respective districts.
Even opposition lawmakers recognized the qualification of President Arroyo to become the next Speaker.
Palawan Rep. Abraham Khalil Mitra, Liberal Party’s gubernatorial candidate in Palawan, said the President is a "shoo-in" as House Speaker if ever she wins as representative in the Second District of Pampanga. - PNA
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