Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte Jr. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—President Aquino on Monday endorsed Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. as Speaker of the House of Representatives during a crucial meeting of the Liberal Party (LP) in Malacañang to consolidate the administration’s forces.
In the lunch meeting, the President rallied more than 80 newly elected party mates in support of Belmonte.
“Nothing but an unequivocal endorsement of Belmonte’s leadership,” Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone said when asked about the President’s marching orders.
With a majority of administration allies winning seats in the 233-member House, Belmonte is a shoo-in for the speakership, Budget Secretary Florencio Abad earlier said.
LP congressional candidates won 109 seats in the House in the May elections, up by 16 from the 15th Congress, according to Abad.
The ruling party is also counting on the support of allies from the Nationalist People’s Coalition, which won 42 seats; Nacionalista Party which won 18 seats; National Unity Party, which gained 25 seats, and 17 independent lawmakers.
Strategic Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang also confirmed that Aquino had asked LP lawmakers to support Belmonte.
Belmonte, however, sought to downplay the endorsement, saying the President’s call was “more directed at everybody, enjoining cooperation and unity.”
In endorsing Belmonte, the President cited his role in shepherding crucial bills on the administration agenda during the 15th Congress, according to Evardone.
“P-Noy credited [Belmonte] for his leadership in the passage of critical measures like the reproductive health and sin tax [bills], among others,” Evardone said.
Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats is planning to run for the speakership.
But Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said Romualdez was aiming to be the next minority leader, since it was unlikely he would get the numbers to topple Belmonte.—TJ Burgonio and Leila B. Salaverria