ALTHOUGH the administration’s coalition ticket for the coming senatorial race is yet to be formed, House Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr., has confidently made a fearless forecast of 10 to 2 in favor of the candidates of the administration.

In a talk to newsmen here, De Venecia based his fearless forecast on “good governance as well as the present performance of the economy” under the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

All these, he said, are among the main reasons why a big number of officials and political leaders are now making an exodus to the administration party.

Just as the Speaker had predicted last week in an earlier interview by newsmen here, the opposition appears to be now cracking up, with the departure from the group of former Senator Francisco Tatad, followed by former Senators Tito Sotto and Tessie Aquino Oreta who joined the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

A top exponent of charter change, De Venecia said the call for a shift to the parliamentary system from presidential will be postponed till after the election as the administration’s main priority at this time is the elections for senators and local officials.

“We will do that after the elections. We do not want to create a diversionary debate on charter change. I think we should concentrate now on the nationwide senatorial and local elections,” de Venecia said.

Elaborating on his forecast for a 10-2 victory of the administration in the 12-man senate seat, De Venecia revealed that one of the “most incredible development during the last 48 hours” was when he swore in 12 governors who joined the ruling party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

De Veneicia, president of Lakas-CMD, admitted it is not easy to persuade even a single governor or mayor to change his party but this time, he said, they came in bulk with 12 governors swearing in as new members of the Lakas-CMD at one time.