House to discuss reshuffle, minority row on Monday

House of Representatives. INQUIRER.NET / RYAN LEAGOGO

The House of Representatives will discuss on Monday the possible reshuffling of officials following Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo’s rise to Speakership.

Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya said this on Sunday in an interview over DZIQ Radyo Inquirer, adding that the Lower Chamber will also tackle the squabble for the official recognition of the minority group.

“Sa Lunes po natin malalaman. Nagpupulong-pulong pa po at mayroon pang isang meeting kung sinu-sino ang mga papalitan ‘di lang yan pati yung mga staff and officials… palagay ko magkakaroon ng panibagong Secretary General at Sergeant at Arms,” Andaya said.

(We will find out on Monday. There will be a meeting on who will be replaced, not only that but also the staff and officials… I think there will be a new Secretary General and Sergeant at Arms.)

When asked about the ongoing spat in the minority, the Camarines Sur Representative said they may also discuss it on Monday.

He also said that there were groups who formally expressed their intent to join the minority.

“May mga sulat na pong ipinaabot sa atin pong bagong Speaker [Arroyo] na nagnanais silang lumipat na sa minority… dalawang grupo na po yung sumulat,” he said

(There were letters submitted to the Speaker stating their desire to shift to the minority… two groups wrote these letters.)

“Unang-una na po ‘yung LP (Liberal Party) at recently kahapon, ‘yung grupo ni dating Speaker [Panataleon] Alvarez nagnanais din maging miyembro ng minority [bloc],” he added.

(First of all, it’s the LP and recently, just yesterday, the group of former Speaker Alvarez also wants to be part of the minority.)

The feud over the right to be called as the minority started when Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez refused to step down as minority leader despite voting for Arroyo during the House coup on Monday. /je