PRESIDENTIAL son Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos is among contenders for the post of House majority leader in the 20th Congress, La Union Rep. La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said yesterday.
“The name of (19th Congress House) senior deputy majority leader Marcos is being floated around (to be the next majority leader). He is very much qualified,” Ortega told a press conference. “But we’ll see, since there are many qualified members of the House for leadership positions and regardless of the title, we need to see the work ethic. That is all I know so far.”
The majority leader in the recently concluded 19th Congress was Manuel Jose Dalipe (Zamboanga City) who was in his third and last term.
Rep. Marcos, who is on his second term, is a protégé of his uncle, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who is vying to retain his post as House speaker when the 20th Congress convenes on July 28.
On the same day, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, where the House of Representatives is located.
Ortega said seniority is just one the criteria in choosing the majority leader since showing responsibility and building relationships with colleagues are also factors.
“We need teamwork to shepherd the passage of bills. The wealth of experience is considered, but it is combined with other factors. And as you’ve seen, we neophytes in the 19th Congress were provided enough training ground,” said Ortega who served as assistant majority leader last Congress.
There appears to be no serious contender against Romualdez for speaker as 283 out of the 287 congressmen from different political parties have signed a manifesto of support calling for his retention as House leader in the 20th Congress.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who was the campaign manager of the administration’s senatorial slate Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, has said he would only be open to challenging the Speaker’s post if the President and his House colleagues will give him their blessing.
Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco, who has denied he was joining the speakership race, earlier said he would prefer either Tiangco or Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez to be the next speaker.
On Wednesday, Frasco, who was earlier sacked as member of the National Unity Party (NUP) for refusing to sign the party’s manifesto of support for Romualdez, said he was already asked to “vacate” his deputy speaker’s office.
“No problem at all, I’m happy to oblige,” Frasco posted Facebook.
SONA PREPS
The House leadership is putting the finishing touches to its preparations for the SONA as it is set to implement a security lockdown starting July 23.
Yesterday, the House’s plenary staff hoisted a 6×12 meter Philippine flag behind the rostrum of the plenary hall.
Evangeline Alcantara Agustin, who was in charge of washing and drying the flag, said she has been doing it for the past six years with the help of fellow workers.
The House’s Engineering and Physical Facilities Department (EPFD) led by Deputy Secretary General (DSG) Renato Dela Torre is at the forefront of the renovations and refurbishments.
Dela Torre said among facilities that were upgraded was the audio system in the plenary hall. Renovation of rooms of new and incoming lawmakers are ongoing. The gallery seats at the Plenary Hall have been replaced with new ones.
Landscaping work at the helipad area is also ongoing and being undertaken by the Metro Manila Development Authority.
