Mindanao solons are now deputy speakers

House of Representatives. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Majority floor leader Rudy Fariñas on Wednesday named two Mindanao lawmakers as deputy speakers in the House of Representatives.

During the plenary session on Wednesday night, Fariñas named Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema and South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez as deputy speakers, who are the second highest officials in the House of Representatives.

They joined the ranks of the deputy speakers earlier elected in Congress—former president and Pampanga Rep Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Taguig Rep. and former senator Pia Cayetano, Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, Davao City Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano and Aambis Owa Rep. Sharon Garin.

READ: Arroyo, Pia Cayetano lead new House Deputy Speakers
The five deputy Speakers chosen to represent the different political parties in Congress are Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan; Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, Nacionalista Party; Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, National Unity Party; Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo, Liberal Party; and Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Nationalist People’s Coalition.

Fariñas also named the following lawmakers as chairpersons of the pertinent House committees:

READ: Unusual: First-termer Vilma Santos-Recto gets key House committee | More House chairpersons named | Duterte allies get chairmanships of key House committees 

Bicol recovery and economic development—Camarines Norte Rep. Renato Unico

Climate change—Ako Bicol Rep. Christopher Co

Globalization and WTO—Angkla Rep. Jesulito Manalo. RAM

READ: More administration allies lead House committees |  Bayan Muna lawmaker chairs committee on natural resources | Gabriela solon to lead House committee on poverty alleviation