Liberal Party (LP) President and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan said on Wednesday that the 12 LP members who abstained from voting for the Speaker are “genuine” members of the minority bloc.
“Who can be chosen as minority? According to House rules, those who did not vote and abstained from voting for the Speaker,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
According to him, 12 LP members abstained from the controversial vote at the House of Representatives on Monday. These lawmakers are led by Marikina City 2nd District Romero Quimbo.
Minutes before President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, supporters of former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opened a session to elect her as the new Speaker.
However, Arroyo’s election was only formalized at a session after the Sona when the mace, regarded as the symbol of authority at the House of Representatives, was finally located.
Pangilinan said the LP will remain standing as the genuine minority amid a shakedown at the lower house.
“The Liberal Party will remain standing as the genuine minority at the House of Representatives amid the recent leadership change,” he said.
“Throughout this administration, its members have proven to be the vigilant, credible, and responsible opposition voice against killings in the war on drugs, nonchalant stance in the West Philippine Sea dispute, the imposition of martial law, and the dangerous Charter change move,” he explained.
The senator stressed that recognizing the LP as the genuine minority bloc will ensure a “vibrant and productive chamber.”
The Makabayan “Magnificent 7” bloc said they are willing to unite with a minority group that will fight the Duterte’s administration’s alleged “move to a dictatorship.”
“With the ascendancy of a supermajority at the House, what is needed is an authentic minority bloc, and not a co-opted, so-called company union,” Pangilinan said.
“Having such for a minority group will remove the checks and balances in the chamber, which is fatal to the democratic process in the legislative branch.” /vvp