Musical chairs: House elects new deputy speakers, committee leaders

Deputy speakers and new committee chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the House of Representatives were elected on Wednesday just before the session went on recess.

Majority Floor Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. moved that Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay and Bohol Rep. Arthur Yap be elected as Deputy Speakers replacing Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo and Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia.

Garcia was elected chairperson of Committee on Economic Affairs in place of YapQ while Quezon City Rep. Scott Davies Lanete was also placed as chair of the Committee on Appointments.

Cavite Rep. Jennifer Austria-Barzaga was elected as vice chair of the Committee on Accounts, replacing Quezon City Rep. Bolet Banal.

North Cotabato Rep. Jose Tejada was elected as vice chair of Committee on Appropriations in place of Oriental Mindoro Rep. Doy Leachon.

On the other hand, Quimbo was installed as a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, while Misamis Occidental Rep. Jorge Almonte and Camiguin Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo are now members of the Committee on Accounts, replacing Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III and Lapu-Lapu Rep. Aileen Radaza.

The other newly installed members are Representatives JB Bernos, Alexandria Gonzales, and Florida Robes, in place of Henedina Abad, Ruwel Peter Gonzaga, in place of Mauyag Papandayan (Commission on Appropriations) and Rep. Rozzano Biazon in place of Gonzaga (Committee on Basic Education).

All committees were allowed to conduct necessary meetings and public hearings during the recess from August 16 to 27, 2018.   /vvp