Arroyo party-list allies visit Noynoy, express support

(Updated 7:58 p.m.) At least nine incumbent and incoming party-list representatives, most of whom are known allies of the Arroyo government, on Tuesday visited President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III at his Times Street home to pledge support for his administration. Aquino said he asked the party-list representatives to support the plans of his administration, including the fielding of incoming Quezon City Rep. Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte Jr. as the Liberal Party's candidate for House Speaker. "They did promise that they they really want to help us succeed and they're commiting themselves to helping us forward the agenda," Aquino said in an interview with reporters Tuesday night. Among Aquino’s visitors include ALIF (Ang Laban ng Indiginong Filipino) party-list Representative Acmad Tomawis, Anad (Alliance for Nationalism and Democracy) Rep. Pastor Alcover, Aangat Tayo Rep. Daryl Grace Abay-on, Quezon City Councilor and incoming Bagong Henerayon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy, Butil Rep. Agapito Guanlao, Senior Citizens Rep. Godofredo Arquiza, ABS (Arts, Business, and Science Professionals) Rep. Catalina Leonen-Pizarro, AGAP (Agricultural Sector Alliance of the Philippines) Rep. Nicanor Briones, and 1-Utak Rep. Vigor Mendoza. Aquino said Mendoza would coordinate with LP secretary-general and Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya to "concretize and operationalize" their "close working relationship" in the 15th Congress. Interviewed after the meeting, Mendoza said the group paid "a courtesy call" to Aquino. "We just expressed support for the policies of this administration," he said. Herrera-Dy said Aquino laid out his plans for his incoming administration. "We could help support them," she said. "Most of us, I think, is for 'Speaker' Belmonte," she added. Belmonte, himself a former Arroyo ally before he jumped to the LP before the elections, briefly held the Speakership post from January to June 2001. He will be pitted against administration stalwart Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman for the Speakership in the incoming Aquino administration. - Jam L. Sisante/RJAB Jr/KBK, GMANews.TV