Congress under state of calamity, says Makabayan bloc

Following the election of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as House Speaker, Makabayan bloc members dubbed the Congress to be under a “state of calamity” at a press conference on Wednesday.

“Noong lunes na ‘yon, kasama ang kongreso under the state of calamity. Malinaw na ipinikita kung ano ang katangian talaga ng Kongreso,” Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said. “[A]ng mga paksyon dito, kahit na isa ang tinatawag na super majority, nananatili ang kanilang makitid at pansariling mga interes ng mga paksyon at ng mga pulitiko.”

The seven-member bloc earlier said that the ouster of former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez would not benefit the Filipino people in any way, as the newly elected House Speaker would only continue to push for the Duterte regime’s plans for Charter Change and the TRAIN Law.

READ: Makabayan bloc: Change in House leadership will not benefit Filipinos

“Kahit sino pa ang nakaupo diyan sa Speaker’s chair ay tutulak pa rin nila ang agenda ng Duterte administration,” Zarate said.

The Bayan Muna representative went on to say that there is no change to be expected regardless of the change in leadership.

“[W]alang maaasahan yung sinasabi nilang may nagbago sa House of Representatives,” he added. “Ang nagbago lang dito ay ang mga mukha pero in terms of agenda, pahirap at pasakit pa rin sa mamamayan ang maaasahan.”

The Makabayan bloc had also planned to nominate ACT-Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio as House Speaker when rumors of Alvarez being replaced by the former president began to circulate. Daphnie Beltran, INQUIRER.net Intern/je

READ: Makabayan bloc to nominate Tinio for Speaker