Press Release
June 1, 2007

PIMENTEL URGES HOUSE MINORITY BLOC
TO FIELD RODRIGUEZ AS CHALLENGER VS. DE VENECIA

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Nene Q. Pimentel, Jr. (PDP-Laban) today urged the incoming minority congressmen to field a candidate for speaker of the House of Representatives when the 14th Congress convenes in July.

Pimentel suggested that Congressman-elect Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro City be nominated by the House minority bloc as its candidate to challenge Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. of the administration coalition.

Such move, he said, should be taken by the opposition congressmen so that they will not forfeit the chance to get the post of House minority leader for their bloc.

Even without the numbers, I propose that Cagayan de Oro Representative-elect Rufus Rodriguez be chosen as candidate to formally challenge Speaker Jose de Venecia, Jr. Should he lose, Rodriguez can claim the post of House minority leader, Pimentel said.

Given a chance, Rufus has the qualities to be a great leader not only for Mindanao but also for the Philippines.

Rodriguez served with distinction as dean of the college of law of San Sebastian University and immigration commissioner under the Estrada administration. He also served as legal counsel and spokesman of former President Joseph Estrada.

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