The House of Representatives chose 12 deputy speakers to represent the federal states that President Rodrigo Duterte aspires to have under a new Constitution.
According to Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said that this is the House’s way of testing the viability of federal states.
“Since the Duterte administration is into federalism and we’re looking at the possible creation of the states… so we thought that perhaps, we could try if it is viable here at the House to divide ourselves into like federal states,” Fariñas said.
“And then politically, we can see the grouping… for more efficient harnessing and coordination of members,” he added.
Fariñas said raising the number of deputy speakers was brought up during the supermajority coalition’s first caucus on August 2. He added that House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and the members of the majority bloc agreed with the proposal.
As for the grouping of the regions, geography will only be just one of the factors to consider.
“Ang thrust kasi ni Speaker Alvareez – and I think ni President Duterte rin – is hindi na yung dating political boundaries ang susundin dito because there’s the apprehension of many people na baka hindi na mag-survive ang states na yan. So you have to regroup them in such a way na may mayayaman at mahihirap,” Fariñas said.
On allegations that adding more deputy speakers is a way accommodating administration allies, Fariñas dismissed such allegations and said that this serves as a trial method on how a federal government will function.
“Sa amin, trial balloon na rin [ito] on how we can work because before we even go into the hard division or boundaries of all these areas, mabuti na yung political muna. Tingnan kung politically viable,” he said.
He added, “This will be very good also considering we’re putting up something like this (federal form of government) eh di subukan muna. Baka dito pa lang hindi na kami magkasundo… At least makikita naming dito [kung ano ang mangyayari] and we can adjust.”
But what’s the function of the deputy speakers?
Fariñas said they will preside over the plenary sessions if the House Speaker is not available and take charge in determining their regions’ concerns regarding the shift to federalism and Charter change.
He said having 12 deputy speakers will be beneficial if the Congress decides to convene as a constitutional convention for the revision of the 1987 Constitution.
“If we go into con-ass, sila rin ang magtutulong-tulong. Mas madaling maha-harness ang grupo dahil clearer ang boundaries,” Fariñas added.
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GMA is appointed deputy speaker
Former President and Pampanga 2nd Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was appointed as one of the 12 deputy speakers of the House of Representatives.
“I’m a deputy speaker. Yes, yes,” Arroyo told reporters in an ambush interview at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center when she donated dialysis equipment.
Arroyo said she was chosen as the deputy speaker of the Central Luzon bloc.
The Inquirer quoted her saying, “We had our lunch together and our president (Bulacan Rep. Linabelle) Villarica said she told our fellow members, we would like to nominate our former President to be represented as (deputy) speaker. Okay, okay, approve, approve!”
The 12 lawmakers elected as House deputy speakers include Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Ilocos Rep. Eric Singson, Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu, Marikina Rep. Miro Quimbo, Davao Rep. Mylene Garcia Albano, Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano, Cebu Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, Aambis OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin, Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, and South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez.
Under a federal government, the country will be divided into autonomous states that will govern with their own laws, development, finances, infrastructure, industries, culture, and education.
Militants consider Arroyo’s appointment as “gross”
Reacting to Arroyo’s new post, Bayan’s Renato Reyes said it was “gross.”
“Gloria Macapagala Arroyo as House Deputy Speaker? Gross. Change is coming? Apparently not in Congress,” he said.
Interaksyon.com also quoted him saying that Arroyo’s appointment, “shows how it’s business as usual at the Lower House and how reactionary politics is indeed the norm. One can cheat in the polls, engage in corruption, and still find oneself atop one of the three branches of government. One can plunder the nation and commit atrocities and still get state honors when buried. Wow. Just another day in Philippine politics.”
Sources: (gmanetwork.com, interaksyon.com, rappler.com)
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