MANILA, Philippines — Senator Francis Pangilinan on Wednesday urged the House of Representatives to elect a minority leader from the opposition after former majority leader Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro expressed intention for the post.
Pangilinan, who belongs in the Senate minority bloc, said the House minority leader could not be “those masquerading as fiscalizers but are in fact collaborators.”
“The goal remains: Elect a genuine Minority Leader at the House of Representatives that can provide the check and the balance to the Majority that is aligned with the powerful administration,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
“The House and the people deserve a real opposition leader, not the Majority’s ‘Minority Leader’,” the senator added.
While Pangilinan recognizes that it is not bad for the House majority and minority leaders to be in harmony, the senator underscored the importance of objectivity and independence for a minority leader.
“A genuine Minority Leader will be constructive, objective, and independent,” Pangilinan pointed out.
“It is not bad to be in harmony with the Majority in legislating measures for the public good. But toeing the administration’s line without considering the interest of the people is what we fear with the Majority’s Minority Leader at the helm,” the senator added.
Pangilinan assured that the Liberal Party and its allies at the House will continue to uphold its values and principles in dealing with this leadership issue.
Castro earlier said he is “seriously studying” his possible minority leadership bid in the incoming 18th Congress.
“I am seriously studying whether I could maintain my balance considering the hairline difference between being a minority member from an opposition; this is because critical collaboration as distinguished from being destructive is called for,” Castro said in a statement.
READ: Castro seeking guidance on minority leadership bid
/kga