Several opposition blocs good for legislation — Andaya

The presence of not just one but three opposition blocs in the House of Representatives is crucial in crafting legislation that would benefit the people, a key ally of Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said yesterday.

“The House benefits from many opposition groups. It suffers when there is none. One benefit I see in having more opposition is that the House can expect more productive proposals from the three nonmajority blocs,” Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. said.

“Healthy policy debates of the type which are not obstructive and mindful of the House calendar and our obligation to deliver laws for the public good should be restored as an honored House tradition,” he said.

Having more participants in debates during deliberations, either at the committee level or in plenary, will help produce a better bill. “This can help the House in polishing the bills so these can evolve into superior pieces of legislation,” he added.

Andaya was referring to the tug-of-war between Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo and Rep. Eugene de Vera of partylist ABS who both claim to be the legitimate opposition leader, even if Minority Leader Danilo Suarez won the title through an overwhelming vote in the plenary.

“At this moment, we may not be recognized by the majority, but we now stand as the people’s minority,” Quimbo declared.

His group comprises several Liberal Party members, plus the Magnificent 7 and the seven-man Makabayan bloc. “As we explore all options in terms of legal remedies in correcting the disregard for our rules and processes, we will continue to be faithful to our commitment to act as responsible, reasonable and credible fiscalizers in the House,” Quimbo added.

Andaya sees no problem with such threats, however. “The new management of the House will not curtail debate and will, as far as the rules and legislative calendar will allow, encourage the full and reasonable discussion of issues on the floor,” said Andaya.

He cited as example the Rice Tariffication Bill, which has recently been passed on second reading.

“Even on the question of the minority leadership, all members were given time to fully ventilate their positions,” he added.

“The House leadership values the important role of the opposition. They are essential in improving policies. Their inputs are vital in a deliberative and collegial body that is Congress,” Andaya maintained.

Quimbo, a former deputy speaker, nevertheless gave assurance that they are “ready to cooperate with the majority.”

“We are ready to work harder as we ensure that the policies that our House produces are those that truly reflect the aspirations of our citizens. But we will not be co-opted. We are ready to stand with the people on issues that will affect them, such as the revision of our Constitution via constituent assembly,” he said.

“We are your genuine minority in the House. We are the people’s minority.”