Alvarez elected next Speaker in 17th Congress | Inquirer News

Alvarez elected next Speaker in 17th Congress

/ 12:46 PM July 25, 2016

As expected, Davao Del Norte Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez on Monday was elected  the next Speaker of the House of Representatives in a landslide vote of 251 lawmakers.

The gavels were banged around 10 a.m. signaling the opening of the 17th Congress under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Article continues after this advertisement

A nominal voting of members ensued which propelled Alvarez to lead the 17th Congress.

FEATURED STORIES

Duterte is set to deliver his first State of the Nation Address this afternoon.

Former Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, Liberal Party vice chair, initially wanted to run for reelection but conceded to Alvarez amid an exodus of Liberals jumping ship to Duterte’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

Article continues after this advertisement

Belmonte then vied for the minority post, but withdrew from the race Saturday after the decision was made for the LP to join the majority coalition.

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Alvarez denies leading ‘co-opted’ minority

Article continues after this advertisement

A small contingent of Liberal Party stalwarts refused to join the majority and opted to be part of the independent bloc in Congress, led by Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat who joined the speakership race but lost.

Baguilat got eight votes, followed by Quezon Rep. Danny Suarez who got seven.

Article continues after this advertisement

It was Baguilat who filed a resolution seeking a congressional probe on the spate of summary killings of suspected criminals since the start of Duterte’s war on drugs. CDG/rga

READ: Look into extrajudicial killings under Duterte, Congress pressed

RELATED VIDEO

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

TAGS: House of Representatives

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our newsletter!

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

© Copyright 1997-2024 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

This is an information message

We use cookies to enhance your experience. By continuing, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more here.