By DANNY O. SAGUN

IT’s now clear to us why the third district representative in the House of Representatives voted in favor of a motion to declare the Speaker position vacant that eventually led to the ouster of Congressman Joe de Venecia as House leader. That GMA visit in Malasiqui last Tuesday noon said it all.

The President acknowledged that support given her by Rachel Arenas during that crucial period when ties, relationships, loyalties, etc. were put to the test.

“Malaki ang tulong ni Congresswoman Arenas sa atin doon sa Kongreso kaya mas marami pa ring biyaya ang maaasahan ninyo dito sa inyong distrito,” she told a big crowd at the Malasiqui Central School, or words to that effect.

In the minds of observers, she was returning the favor for what Arenas had done for her — or done against JDV–who had a falling out with the Chief Executive over the ZTE-NBN controversy.

It was obvious that affair was Arenas’ crowning glory, so to speak. Large tarpaulins showing her face and her name (of course the President’s too) dominated the venue, the covered court in that school, dwarfing the other streamers put up by the various government agencies save for the two or three from Manila.

Rachel’s mother, Rosemarie, the socialite, was very visible. Arenas’ supporters came in white T-shirts with ‘I love PGMA’ markings. Her campaign jingle was played over and over while waiting for GMA. .

We are now reminded of the electoral case filed by her opponent Gallant Soriano (and Jun Tulagan too?). The winning margin was very close and allegations of cheating were raised by the losing camps.

Now, she chose GMA over JDV for obvious reason. GMA appears to be more entrenched in her post despite loud protests against her. She has survived several attempts to unseat her and on her way of finishing her term. JDV, on the other hand, became an ordinary Congress member. If worse comes to worst about the electoral case she is facing, GMA can now count on the backing of the incumbent House leadership and possibly even Malacanang.

Practical politic s is what Rachel had played. Only proves once more the adage that in politics, there are no permanent friends, just permanent interests.