LP exec: Expect tyranny of the supermajority in 18th Congress
MANILA, Philippines — Liberal Party (LP) secretary-general and Quezon City 6th District Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte said Wednesday that with only 18 LP members winning congressional seats, people should expect another supermajority in the House of Representatives, just like in the 17th Congress.
“Our last count is 18 representatives so far — not much different from our numbers in the current Congress, which means you can expect the same tyranny from the supermajority,” Belmonte said in a statement.
According to the partial and unofficial count posted at the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) transparency server, the 18 candidates who are leading congressional races include Belmonte, Marikina 2nd District candidate Stella Quimbo, Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice, and Makati 1st District candidate Kid Peña.
This, however, appears to be a silver lining in the dismal performance of the LP and other opposition groups in the national elections.
As of 3:26 p.m. on Wednesday, none of the Otso Diretso and Labor Win candidates have made it to PPCRV’s unofficial count for the senatorial race.
READ: Revilla snatches 10th place in PPCRV unofficial tally
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Otso Diretso’s Gutoc, Tañada, Hilbay concede
Article continues after this advertisementNumbers are important in the Senate and the House of Representatives because legislation and resolutions are either approved or disapproved through votation.
This was evident in some of the laws that were passed in the previous Congress that were important to the administration— the extension of martial law in Mindanao, the passage of the draft federal charter, and the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility.
READ: Congress approves 3rd martial law extension in Mindanao
READ: House OKs on final reading bill lowering age of criminal responsibility to 12
READ: Draft federal Charter gets House’s final nod
Despite the setbacks to the opposition, Belmonte vowed to stand for their beliefs, amid a looming overwhelming majority in Congress.
“The Liberals and its allies will continue to stand for our values. Maaaring kaunti kami, pero lalaban kami dahil hindi nadadaan sa paramihan ng mga nakataas na kamay ang tama at mali (We may be small in number, but we are going to fight because number is not everything in fighting for what is right),” he noted. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
