DAGUPAN CITY, Aug. 12 (PNA) — Former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. refuses to take sides in the political exercise next year consistent with his position as chairman of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAP) composed of ruling and opposition parties in Asia.
“I will be criticized if I will do,” said De Venecia who was five-time speaker of the House of Representatives.
“My wife Gina can as congresswoman of the fourth district of Pangasinan but for me, I should not considering my position in ICAP,” said De Venecia when pressed by newsmen to reveal his preferences among the probable aspirants in the coming presidential election.
He said there are four parties in the Philippines affiliated to ICAP. These are the Liberal Party, Natcionalista Party, PDP Laban and the Nationalist People’s Coalition.
But De Venecia identified the one area where he could take sides and that is the call for free, honest and credible elections in all levels.
He said the next political exercise in the Philippines must be free and honest as well as credible. (PNA)