Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivers his first State of the Nation address at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, suburban Manila on July 25, 2022. (Photo by Aaron Favila / POOL / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — 4Ps Rep. Marcelino Libanan is the new House Minority Leader of the newly opened 19th Congress.
During Tuesday’s session, Speaker Martin Romualdez led the oathtaking of Libanan, who was chosen by his peers to lead the minority bloc in the lower chamber of Congress.
It was Northern Samar Rep. Paul Daza who made the manifestation, saying 25 members of the minority bloc unanimously elected Libanan.
“We are happy to announce and put on record the election of our new Minority leader, Congressman Nonoy Libanan,” Daza said.
Libanan previously served as immigration commissioner during the presidency of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
He was also a former Eastern Samar representative and served as chairman of the House committee on justice in his tenure as a lawmaker.
Libanan thanked his fellow House members, assuring that the minority will perform its task.
“I would like to thank my dear colleagues. Rest assured that we will perform our task as responsible minority of this august chamber,” he said.
Later in the session, Libanan revealed the elected leaders of the minority bloc, who are the following:
- Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Paul Daza as senior deputy minority leader
- Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy as deputy minority leader
- Philreca Rep. Presley De Jesus as deputy minority leader
- Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman as deputy minority leader
- ACT Teachers Rep. Franz Castro as deputy minority leader
- Samar 1st District Rep. James Tan as deputy minority leader
- AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Lex Anthony Colada as deputy minority leader
- OFW Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino as assistant minority leader
- Northern Samar 2nd District Rep. Harris Ongchua as assistant minority leader
- 4Ps Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos as assistant minority leader
- Bicol Saro Rep. Narcisco Enciso as assistant minority leader
- Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas as assistant minority leader
- Apec Rep. Sergio Dago-oc
- Samar 2nd District Rep. Michael Tan
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