Three senior House of Representatives leaders identified with former speaker Alan Peter Cayetano lost their posts and the perks that go with it, in a massive purge of the loyalists of Cayetano in the chamber.
Two days to the month since Speaker Lord Allan Velasco assumed the top House position, three deputy speakers – Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu were removed as deputy speakers.
They were replaced by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar.
Castro and Fernandez were among those most vocal against Velasco during the speakership row that started in September.
It was ironic that Castro, who held on to his post despite Cayetano's ouster, even said in a speech at the height of the controversty that those who support Velasco's speakership bid should quit their leadership posts.
Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte, another vocal Cayetano ally, was earlier sacked as deputy speaker.
Also in Wednesday's session, the House elected Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo as chairman of the House Committee on Energy, the position that Velasco vacated when he became Speaker.
Caloocan City Rep. Dale Malapitan was elected head of the House contingent to the House of Representative Electoral Tribunal.
ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap, on the other hand, was elected vice chairman of the House Committee on Accounts, now chaired by Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Velasco was designated legislative caretaker of the First District of Cebu City following the death of Rep. Raul del Mar. Deputy Majority Leader Xavier Jesus Romualdo, who made the motion, said it was the wish of the late lawmaker's family.
Former Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza was elected as the new House Secretary General vice lawyer Jocelia Bighani Sipin who resigned.