Arroyo, Andaya still deputy speakers, Alvarez clarifies
Unless a majority of the administrationbacked supermajority votes to oust them, former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya will retain their posts as deputy speakers despite maintaining their stance to thumb down the proposed death penalty bill.
Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez issued this clarification even as the supermajority, which he heads, has agreed to exclude plunder and offenses involving marijuana from the list of crimes in which the death penalty may be imposed.
Alvarez made the clarification in a radio interview.
He said congressmen who are holding key positions in the majority bloc but are unwilling to toe the leadership line are similarly jeopardizing their leadership status .A supermajority source said a motion to declare vacant the posts of Arroyo and Andaya is expected to be raised next week unless stopped by the supermajority leadership.
Arroyo and Andaya are among the deputy speakers who have previously aired their opposition to the bill restoring death as the capital punishment for heinous crimes in the country.
Deputy Speakers Fredenil Castro (PDP-Laban, Capiz) and Eric Singson (PDP-Laban, Ilocos Sur) were co-authors of bills that enacted Republic Act 9346 that abolished the death sentence. It was signed in 2006 by then President Arroyo.
The two House officials are now co-authors of HB 4727 that proposes to repeal RA 9346 and restore the death penalty.
Unless Arroyo and Andaya will change their minds, they can be removed as deputy speakers if a motion to declare their positions vacant wins majority vote among members of the supermajority bloc.
Alvarez said members of the supermajority are expected to support key legislative proposals that are a vital part of President Duterte’s legislative agenda. He added that any decision to unseat Arroyo and other deputy speakers from their posts need not be consulted with the chief executive.
He said the restoration of the death penalty is “number one” in the list of administration priority measures that were presented during the recent Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council meeting.
Alvarez, principal author of HB 4727, denied accusations that he has resorted to arm twisting tactics to guarantee passage of the measure.
“I just want to exercise my right to look for allies who will join me in this cause,” he explained as he vowed to respect the right of his House colleagues to vote in accordance with what their conscience dictates.
However, he admitted that PDP-Laban, which has at least 120 members in the Lower House, have agreed to take a party stand in support of HB 4727.
Alvarez is the secretary general while Duterte is the chairman of PDP-Laban.