Following the election of 1Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero as deputy speaker, the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc. got more than what they bargained for in committee and other key assignments in the House of Representatives.
The president of the 54-member PCFI, currently the second biggest political bloc in the House of Representatives, credited House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano for the assignments given to all members of the PCFI.
“Speaker Cayetano not only gave the party-list bloc a 20 percent proportionate share, but he even gave more as he gave weight on the qualifications and background of party-list members who were best suited to the available positions,” said the administration lawmaker who accepted the post of deputy speaker only after his partylist colleagues had secured their coveted positions.
He added: “This 18th Congress, the party-list coalition got the respect that is due us and we are very thankful to Speaker Alan.”
Aside from Romero, the House also elected as deputy speakers PCFI members Reps. Conrad Estrella III (Abono party-list), Eddie Villanueva (CIBAC), and Rodante Marcoleta (SAGIP).
Recently elected chairpersons were Reps. Eric Pineda (1Pacman), Committee on Labor and Employment; Yedda Romualdez (Tingog Sinirangan), Committee on Welfare of Children; Anna Villaraza-Suarez (ALONA), Committee on Sustainability Development Goals; and Shernee Tan-Tambut (Kusug Tausug), Committee on Globalization and WTO.
Previously given chairmanship posts were Reps. Eric Yap (ACT-CIS), Games and Amusement; Sharon Garin (AAMBIS-OWA) and Economic Affairs; and Raymond Mendoza (TUCP), Overseas Workers Affairs.
The majority bloc also installed Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy (Bagong Henerasyon) as deputy majority leader. On the other hand, neophyte Reps. Claudine Diana Bautista (Dumper PTDA) and Michael Edgar Aglipay (DIWA) were named assistant majority leaders. (Ben Rosario)