The House of Representatives is expected to welcome its newest member, Ang Probinsyano party-list nominee Edward delos Santos, to replace their nominee who transferred to another group last year.
Rep. Ronnie Ong announced late last year that he has transferred to the Alliance of Public Transport Operators party-list as the sectors it represents are “aligned with our advocacies and the sectors we wanted to serve.”
Ong, however, said while he has resigned from the Ang Probinsyano party-list, he “remains a member” of the House until the leadership acts on the replacement.
The House leadership, through Deputy Secretary General Jocelia Bighani Sipin, earlier advised Ang Probinsyano party-list to secure a resolution from the Commission on Elections or a Certificate of Proclamation recognizing Ong’s replacement.
Based on the Comelec certification signed by lawyer Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal, Director IV, on Dec. 21, 2021, Delos Santos “is the Nominee No. 3 next-in-rank to Rep. Ronnie L. Ong of Ang Probinsyano Party-list in the 2019 National and Local Elections.”
“Upon receipt of the Comelec Resolution or COP naming the nominee entitled to sit as representative of Ang Probinsyano Party-List, the House of Representatives may proceed to admit the said nominee to the Roll of Members,” Sipin said in a letter dated Dec. 9, 2021 addressed to the group’s first nominee, Rep. Alfred de los Santos.
The Ang Probinsyano party-list group represents farmers, fishers and other marginalized groups in the provinces or rural areas of the country.
The Comelec resolution has been referred to the House’s Legal Affairs Department for appropriate action.