The removal of Pampanga Rep. Gloria M. Arroyo as House deputy speaker is final, according to House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez.
The House chief said the former President is not spared from their policy to strip all the House leaders of their crucial posts following their vote against House Bill 4727 or the bill seeking the reimposition of the death penalty.
“It is as good as day follows night,” Alvarez said. “Policy is a policy.”
Alvarez said he would discuss with House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas the possible replacement of Mrs. Arroyo and committee chairpersons who cast “No” votes for the death penalty bill.
Mrs. Arroyo is the sole House deputy speaker who voted against the death penalty bill.
Other House leaders who risk losing their posts for voting No are Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Sato, member of the Commission on Appointments; Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos-Recto, head of the House Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation; Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, chairperson of the House Committee on Land Use; Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, chairperson of the House Committee on People Participation; ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, chairman of the House Committee on Public Information; Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources; and Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus, chairman of the House Committee on Poverty Alleviation. (Charissa M. Luci)
