Leni: House minority row a test for GMA

The group led by Marikina Rep. Romero Quimbo should be recognized as the House minority bloc, Vice President Leni Robredo said yesterday, adding that resolving the issue would be a test for the leadership of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“How (Arroyo) handles it will be reflective on the kind of leadership she will implement in the House,“said Robredo.

Robredo made the statement as the issue on the House minority group remains unresolved, with three factions in the chamber vying to be recognized following a leadership reorganization last week.

Robredo and Quimbo both belong to the Liberal Party (LP).

“If you follow the House’s rules (Quimbo’s group) is the one deserving (to be recognized as House minority),” the Vice President said in a recent interview in Eastern Samar.

Aside from Quimbo’s faction, the groups of Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez and ABS partylist Rep. Eugene De Vera have claimed to be the House minority.

Suarez, who voted for Arroyo as Speaker, insisted on retaining his post as minority leader.

He claimed that only the Speaker’s post was declared vacant and not the majority and minority leader positions.

Unexpected outcome

If there is one good thing that came out of the tumultuous leadership change in the House recently, it is that a stronger and more legitimate minority bloc has emerged, Sen. Leila de Lima yesterday said.

In a statement, De Lima said the unexpected consequence of the coup staged by the allies of Arroyo against her predecessor Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez shortly before President Duterte’s

State of the Nation Address last July 23 was that there is now a true minority in the House.

De Lima said Arroyo and her allies probably did not anticipate that their move would bring the various opposition groups together as one.

From a group that previously consisted of just 12 members, De Lima said there are now 26 of them and this could grow even bigger.

“Whatever were the reasons behind the closing of opposition ranks, whether some are just consistently anti-GMA, some are anti-Duterte regulars or others may have seen a second chance to be politically relevant, still, the emergence of this new and true LP-led House minority is a ‘shot in the arm’ and a much needed boost to an opposition that has practically been decimated under the tyrannical duopoly of Alvarez and (former Majority leader Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas),” De Lima said.

She echoed the sentiments of her colleagues from the LP that the minority should not be an extension of the majority.

According to De Lima, a well-functioning minority is one that truly fiscalizes and genuinely presents the diversity and complexity of views and interests of the people.

“It is essential in the representative attribute and deliberative essence of lawmaking. It recognizes different and differing opinions and persuasions and ensures checks and balances in our processes that help lead to effective and meaningful legislation for the good of our people,” she said.

De Lima called on the new minority in the House to do what is right and become the voice of the people.

She said the minority should stand up against the continued killings taking place in the country and the moves to amend the Constitution in order not to benefit a few abusive politicians.