Velasco was accompanied by his wife when he was sworn in by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. at 6:40 p.m. on Monday (Feb. 1), with just two days left before Congress would adjourn for the long campaign break.
Majority Leader Neptali Gonzalez II said that the House of Representatives had received a copy of the Commission on Elections’ proclamation declaring Velasco, the son of Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr., as the duly elected representative of Marinduque, which rendered Ongsiako-Reyes “as if she has never been a member of the 16th Congress.”
Gonzalez said that Ongsiako-Reyes’ name has been expunged from the House roll but she would not return the salaries and perks she received from July 2013 to January 2016.
As late as a week ago, the House leaders remained defiant against removing Ongsiako-Reyes despite a mandamus order from the Supreme Court and the denial of the House appeal for reconsideration.
House leaders have come under fire for refusing to enforce a Comelec order, upheld by the Supreme Court, disqualifying Ongsiako-Reyes because she was an American citizen at the time of her election to Congress.
The House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET), however, ignored the Comelec and swore in Ongsiako-Reyes.
Velasco, a member of the National Unity Party, would join his mother AMA Partylist Rep. Lorna Velasco in Congress.
Gonzalez said that another LP member would be replaced following a Supreme Court decision disqualifying Surigao del Sur Rep. Philip Pichay.
“We will wait for the official transmission (from the SC) and I think it’s a decision as a result of the HRET decision and of course we will abide by it,” said Gonzalez in a press conference.
Pichay will be replaced by Mary Elizabeth Ty-Delgado.
Pichay, however, said he would appeal the high court ruling and that he would only vacate his seat upon the issuance of a final ruling. SFM