Makabayan bloc consults members for possible ‘swing vote’ in speakership race

Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines— Seen as a possible “swing vote” in the race for speakership in the 16th Congress, the Makabayan bloc said it was set to hold a consultation with its members to decide who they will support for the minority leader post.

Bayan Muna Party-list Representative Neri Colmenares said they would hold a Makabayan executive council meeting this Saturday to come up with a decision on who they would support for the post of Speaker and Minority Leader.

“For the first time in history, we were told that we were the swing vote but this means that we have to go through thorough consultations with our members,” he told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday.

“Even if we’re inside Congress we never divorced ourselves from our constituents outside,” he said.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. was expected to resume his post as Speaker but what was uncertain at this point was who would get to lead the minority bloc.

So will the militant bloc back San Juan Representative Ronaldo Zamora or Leyte Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez?

Gabriela Party-list Representative Emmi de Jesus said the Makabayan bloc would have a decision by Monday.