Albano, Balindong take oath as House deputy speakers

 

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Speakers Antonio Albano and Yasser Alonto Balindong have taken their oath of office before House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, a week after they were elected to their post.

During the session on Monday, Albano, who represents the 1st District of Isabela, and Balindong of the 2nd District of Lanao del Sur’s 2nd District, were sworn into office by Romualdez.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos meanwhile made a motion to elect Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino “Inno” Dy as Deputy Majority Leader, to fill in the place vacated by Albano.

Marcos also moved for the election of the following new committee vice chairpersons:

• Committee on public information
  • Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Yevgeny Emano
  • Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas
  • Cebu City 1st District Rep. Rachel del Mar

• Committee on tourism
  • Bukidnon 4th District Rep. Laarni Roque

• Committee on health
  • Bukidnon 4th District Rep. Laarni Roque

• Committee on higher and technical education
  • Bukidnon 4th District Rep. Laarni Roque

• Committee on inter-parliamentary relations and diplomacy
  • Zamboanga del Sur 1st District Rep. Divina Grace Yu
  • Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez
  • Zamboanga del Norte 3rd District Rep. Adrian Michael Amatong
  • Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Francisco Benitez

Albano and Balindong’s election as deputy speaker came after the House decided to remove Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab, for failing to sign House Resolution (HR) No. 1414.

HR No. 1414 seeks to uphold the dignity and integrity of the House, and support Romualdez’ leadership, after the institution came under verbal attack from for former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte launched tirades against the House, calling it the ‘most rotten government organization’ after the body decided to strip the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) of its confidential fund requests for 2024.

The OVP and DepEd are both headed by Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.