Speaker’s threat a dud–Lagman

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO/RYAN LEAGOGO

An opposition congressman reproached the leadership of the House of Representatives on Thursday for toning down its threat of reprisal against lawmakers who voted “no” to the death penalty bill.

“The threat of Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to oust those who would vote against the death penalty bill from their key leadership positions has turned out to be a mere scheming braggadocio,” Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said in a statement.

“Who would be intimidated next time around by a leader who wields a dud?” said Lagman, a leader of an independent minority bloc in the 292-seat chamber.

Eleven House leaders, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a Deputy Speaker, defied the administration stand by voting against the measure restoring the death penalty.

The chamber voted 217-54, with one abstention, to pass the bill on third reading.

On Wednesday, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said no major reorganization of key leadership positions would happen immediately after he pleaded with Alvarez to let him handle it.