Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman on Sunday urged the incoming Congress “not to perpetuate the stratagem of the majority leadership of anointing a Minority Leader in the House of Representatives as an adjunct of the majority coalition.”
“Allow critical dissent to flourish and respect the independence of a vibrant, although only a handful, of minority representatives,” the veteran lawmaker said.
“Legislation must pass deliberate consultation as well as the furnace of serious debate,” he added.
Lagman made the statement as the chamber is set to prepare to transition to the 19th Congress.
“The hallmark of a deliberative assembly is the genuine existence and steadfast advocacy of the minority,” he added.
Under the House rules, members who vote for the winning candidate for Speaker shall constitute the majority in the House while those who did not vote for the winning candidate shall comprise the minority.
“The Minority Leader shall be elected by the members of the minority and can be changed, at any time, by a majority vote of all the minority members,” the rules state.
Lagman was recently reelected to represent the first District of Albay. Edcel’s eldest daughter Krisel Lagman-Luistro was reelected mayor of Tabaco City, while son Grecon “Grex” Lagman was also reelected vice governor of Albay for a second term.
