SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday said replacements for ousted deputy speakers and committee chairmen will be based on the nominations of their own respective parties.
Alvarez also said he was not burning his bridges with former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, who was removed as deputy speaker after she voted against the death penalty bill.
“We are not forcing them. We respect their position to vote against the death penalty in the same manner they should respect our policy,” said Alvarez, who served as Arroyo’s Transportation secretary.
Alvarez said the revamp of key positions in the House of Representatives, directed against those who voted against the death penalty bill, will continue when Congress resumes session in May.
Congress adjourns March 17 for a Lenten break. It will resume session in May.
On Wednesday night, the House leadership declared vacant the position of deputy speaker for Central Luzon, the post held by Arroyo, and 11 other committee chairpersons.
Alvarez said that so far only Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero, who sat as chairman of the House committee on basic education and culture, has been replaced. Her position will be taken over by Cebu Rep. Ramon Durano.
Alvarez said other parties have submitted several names as possible replacements to those who would be affected by the revamp so the House leadership is still in the process of evaluating the list to determine the most suitable candidates.
In a statement, Arroyo expressed thanks for the opportunity to serve as House deputy speaker and vowed to continue her support for Duterte and Alvarez.
Alvarez also allayed concerns the policy he laid down in connection with the death penalty bill has eroded the independence of the House from Malacañang.
“That is a leadership-sponsored bill, and if you are part of the leadership, I think they must support the leadership. If they refuse to support the leadership, then we will find somebody who will support us,” Alvarez said.
Despite the revamp, Alvarez expressed confidence the super-majority coalition in the House would remain solid.
The Palace said Thursday that it didn’t interfere with Alvarez’s decision to strip allies of their key posts if they voted against the death penalty.
“We start on the premise that the [legislature] is treated as an independent branch from the executive,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said.
“So the ongoing movement in committee chairmanships is left to the discretion of the House leadership,” he added. With John Paolo Bencito