New House ‘rainbow coalition’ emerges
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 08 Jul 2019 09:05:23 +0000
Less than a week after it was formed, the “Duterte Coalition” has emerged as the new “rainbow coalition” in the House of Representatives, winning the support of dozens of congressmen from various political blocs and expecting a minimum 250 supporters in the chamber when voting for House Speaker takes places in less than three weeks.
Caloocan City Rep. Along Malapitan revealed that many members of PDP-Laban, to which he belongs, have signed up to declare support for the Duterte Coalition that was formed just last week by the Hugpong ng Pagbabago and the Hugpong ng Tawong Lungsod headed by siblings Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Rep. Paolo Duterte, respectively.
The Duterte Coalition is backing Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab as its bet for House Speaker.
Reps. Alfredo Garbin (Ako Bicol partylist) and Nina Taduran (ACT-CIS partylist) confirmed that a good number of members of the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc., second largest political bloc in the House, have expressed support for the Duterte Coalition.
Garbin and Taduran are PCFI spokespersons but spoke in their own individual capacities.
“This is a new rainbow coalition that is quickly shaping up in the House of Representatives,” said Garbin, recalling the rainbow coalition that was formed by former House Speaker Jose C. de Venecia Jr. in order to unite behind the legislative agenda of the administration and make a common stand in the speakership race.
Malapitan said congressmen belonging to at least three political parties have vowed to back the Duterte Coalition.
The PDP-Laban leadership has yet to issue a statement on the current political developments in the House. The administration party which has 84 members in the House has reached a party stand to back Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco for House Speaker.
Garbin said the PCFI will meet today to determine who among its members have thrown their support to the Duterte Coalition and decide on their on the House speakership issue.
“Majority members of the PCFI expressed their support for the newly formed Duterte Coalition. I joined them so as to resolve the issue of speakership which might cause delay in the delivery of public service,” said Taduran. (Ben Rosario)