(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-02-05 08:57

MANILA - The head of the Philippine House of Representatives Jose C. De Venecia was effectively ousted early Tuesday morning after a marathon House floor vote to vacate his position.

Among 212 lawmakers present at the House plenary session, 174 voted affirmative to oust De Venecia, while 35 voted against and 16 abstained.

Outgoing De Venecia nominated his rival congressman Prospero Nograles, Jr. as the new Speaker as the new Speaker, saying he wanted to "rapidly unite his divided House", according to the televised the overnight House plenary that started Monday afternoon.

The House voted unanimously to elect Nograles as the new Speaker.

"I accept the challenge to continue reforms in this chamber and to improve the image the House," Nograles said. "But I will never make promises that I cannot keep."