Rep. Abante as minority leader seen to ‘uphold checks and balance’ in House

MANILA, Philippines — As the House of Representatives opened its first regular session for the 18th Congress, the minority coalition pushed for Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. as its leader and vowed to be a “formidable checks and balance” in the lower chamber.

In a press conference on Monday before the House opened its first regular session, Quezon City Rep. Kit Belmonte announced the coalition’s pick for the position of minority leader.

“We recognize the imperative to uphold the checks and balances of power in the legislative branch,” Belmonte said, reading the coalition’s official statement.

“Thus, the need for an independent voice that would physicalize and scrutinize a genuine minority’s extrude to power in safeguarding the country and the people it serves. As such we agreed to support Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. as our minority leader.” he further said.

‘Formidable checks and balance’

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, meanwhile, said that Abante would embody the coalition’s  role of being the “formidable checks and balance” in the House of Representatives.

“Yun ang isang unang siniguro namin kay Cong. Benny ‘no? Na dapat ang koalisyon na ito ay titindig talaga bilang formidable checks and balance dito sa House of Representatives,” Zarate told reporters after the press conference.

“I think ang mahalaga ngayon, ang coalition na ito will work for the best interest of the people. Na yung majority ay on their toes also dahil ang minority na ito talaga ay titindig sa komite sa floor at sa iba pang mga usapin na maaapektuhan at may impact dun sa interes ng ating mamamayan,” he added. /jpv

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