Next House Speaker should fight for lawmakers’ budget, projects — Suarez

MANILA, Philippines — The next House Speaker should be able to “fight” for the budget and “wishlist” projects of his or her fellow lawmakers, outgoing House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said Monday.

Suarez explained that running for Congress, specifically for the lower House, entails promising several projects for one’s district and constituents, and budget would be needed for that.

“If the speaker is dynamic and has the concern of the members he’ll fight for it,” the outgoing Quezon 3rd district congressman said in an interview.

“Give some direction to the DBM (Department of Budget and Management), to the (Department of) Finace na ‘yung wishlist ng mga members ko ibigay ninyo… that’s political maneuvering, standard practice,” he detailed.

The Minority Leader also chided unspecified previous House leaders who did not mind the welfare of their fellow House members after gaining their positions.

“With my apology to previous leaders, may mga ganun na hindi masyadong iniintindi welfare ng mga kasamahan pag nanalo na (there ares some who were not concerned with the welfare of their colleagues),” he said.

The veteran politician also said good track record, educational background, past experience, and crisis handling should be among the considerations for the Speaker of the coming 18th Congress.

“Ang sa akin lang political maturity na tayo, sino ang talagang makakapag-lead ng House (We need political maturity to decide on who can really lead the House),” Suarez said as he reiterated his support for businessman and economist Representative-elect Martin Romualdez from Leyte.

READ: Romualdez Speakership bid gets support from 126 House members

Suarez also called on his fellow legislators not to base their vote on the order of President Rodrigo Duterte or Davao Mayor Sara-Duterte.

READ: House minority leader rejects ‘Pulong’ as possible speaker

Former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Marinduque Rep. Lord Velasco, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. have also been floated as among the contenders for the speakership battle.

READ: LP sees same ‘tyranny of majority’ in next Congress

The 17th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 8. The 18th Congress will open on July 22, the same day the next Speaker would be elected and Duterte would deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address. (Editor: Eden Estopace)

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