MANILA, Philippines — More changes in leadership transpired in the House of Representatives while the speakership row further heats up as Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano’s term as Speaker nears its conclusion based on the Duterte-brokered term-sharing deal.
On Tuesday, three more lawmakers were removed as committee chairpersons: Quezon 4th District Rep. Helen Tan, AAMBIS-OWA Partylist Rep. Sharon Garin, and Valenzuela City 2nd District Rep. Eric Martinez.
Tan was chairperson of the House committee on health while Garin chaired the committee on economic affairs and Martinez chaired the committee on youth and sports development.
Representatives Ma. Lucille Nava, Teodorico Haresco Jr., and John Marvin Nieto replaced Tan, Garin, and Martinez, respectively.
The removal of the three lawmakers from their posts happened just days after 1-PACMAN Partylist Rep. Michael Romero, an ally of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, was stripped of his deputy speaker post.
READ: Velasco ally Mikee Romero removed as House deputy speaker
The move to replace Romero happened only hours after Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro challenged his colleagues who cannot cooperate with the leadership of Cayetano to resign.
“Dahil mahilig din naman sila manawagan sa palabra de honor, panindigan na nila ito (Since they are fond of invoking palabra de honor, they should stand by it themselves). Resign your leadership positions and let those who are willing to help and cooperate takeover,” Castro said.
“There is no shame in admitting defeat at the hands of the better foe but it is not fitting to be part of the team while betraying your colleagues and undermining the efforts of Congress,” he added.
It is unclear if the removal of Romero was related to the speakership row between Cayetano and Velasco. The same is the case for the three lawmakers removed Tuesday from their committee chairmanships.
Garin and Romero, however, accompanied Velasco during his meeting with Cayetano and President Rodrigo Duterte to settle the speakership row.
KGA
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