House ‘minority’ fight heats up as 4 lawmakers join LP-led bloc
THE FIGHT for the right to be called the minority at the House of Representatives continued on Wednesday as the group led by the Liberal Party (LP) gained four more supporters, according to one of its members.
“Our numbers are increasing because it is clear that we comprise the legitimate and duly-constituted minority bloc of the House of Representatives. For our group to be truly reflective of the aspirations of the people we serve, it is important to have members who can represent the interests of the marginalized, especially those who come from Mindanao,” Rep. Arlene Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands said in a statement.
The additions to the bloc, led by Rep. Romero Quimbo of Marikina City, were: Representatives Emmanuel Billones of Capiz, Vicente “Kulit” Alcala of Quezon, Isagani Amatong of Zamboanga del Norte andAmihilda Sangcopan of Anak Mindanao Party-List. Their inclusion raises the number to 26 from 22, who include 13 from LP, two from allied party-list organizations and seven lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc.
“With this, I am proud to announce that more voices from Mindanao have been added to our ranks. Aside from myself and my fellow Mindanaoans from party-list groups in Villarin, Casilao and Zarate, we now have Amatong and Sangcopan as part of the new House Minority. They have sent their application to the group, which was approved by our Minority Leader, Rep. Miro Quimbo,” Bag-ao added.
The complete list of 26 members of the LP-led Minority include:
1. Minority Leader Miro Quimbo of Marikina City
2. Rep. Francis Gerald Abaya of Cavite
3. Rep. Vicente Alcala of Quezon
4. Rep. Gary Alejano of Magdalo Party-List
5. Rep. Isagani Amatong of Zamboanga del Norte)
6. Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands)
7. Rep. Teddy Baguilat of Ifugao
8. Rep. Jorge Banal of Quezon City
9. Rep. Christopher Belmonte of Quezon City
10. Rep. Emmanuel Billones of Capiz
11. Rep. Gabriel Bordado of Camarines Sur
12. Rep. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela party-list
13. Rep. Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis party-list
14. Rep. France Castro of Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list
15. Rep. Raul Daza of Northern Samar
16. Rep. Emmi de Jesus of Gabriela party-list
17. Rep. Christopher de Venecia of Pangasinan
18. Rep. Sarah Elago of Kabataan party-list
19. Rep. Edgar Erice of Caloocan City
20. Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay
21. Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong of Negros Oriental
22. Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato of Occidental Mindoro)
23. Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan of Anak Mindanao party-list
24. Rep. Antonio Tinio of Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list
25. Rep. Tom Villarin of Akbayan of Akbayan party-list
26. Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate of Bayan Muna party-list
With 26 lawmakers on board, the LP bloc is now on equal footing with the other minority group in the House, led by Rep. Danilo Suarez, who has refused to relinquish his post even after voting for former president and Rep. Gloria Arroyo of Pampanga as Speaker.
Fourteen from the Suarez bloc also voted for Arroyo.
Under House rules, lawmakers who voted for the winning Speaker will be part of the majority bloc while those who did not will form the minority and elect a leader.
Bag-ao said the LP-led minority will continue to assert its place in the House as representatives of the interests of citizens.
“We are committed to providing checks and balances in our processes and crafting legislation for and with the people,” Bag-ao said.
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