Suarez willing to relinquish House minority leadership if SC says so

House Minority Leader Rep. Danilo Suarez. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO / PATHRICIA ROXAS

Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez won’t give up his post as House minority leader, but agreed to do so under one circumstance — if the Supreme Court tells him to do so.

Suarez insisted he would remain as minority leader until 2019, even after former Speaker, Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, to whom he led the Minority bloc, was unseated by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as House Speaker.

“I will closely analyze and study and if I feel that I am not in a position anymore to lead the minority, then I will politely vacate my post,” he told ABS CBN News Channel on Thursday when asked if he would accept the High Court’s decision should it say he should resign.

“I think that’s their [Supreme Court’s] right, and maybe we can see some clearing pag nagkaroon ng decision ang Supreme Court on this,” he said.

(I think that’s their right, and maybe we can see some clearing if the Supreme Court releases a decision on this.)

Former House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas earlier revealed he would go to the Supreme Court to clarify the issue on who should comprise and lead the Minority bloc in the lower Chamber.

READ: Fariñas to go to Supreme Court to clear House Minority issue

But while there is no decision from the High Court, Suarez urged his co-lawmakers to move on.

“Maraming issue should be given first priority and importance. Tapos na itong issue na ito (Many issues should be given first priority and importance. This issue has been concluded.),” he said.

“Sana maintindihan ng ibang kasamahan ko sa House. Trabaho na lang tayo ulit, nine months to go (I hope my co-workers in the House will understand. Let’s get back to work, nine months to go.)” Suarez said. /jpv