Incoming speaker picks Fariñas as majority leader

MANILA, Philippines - Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte, expected to be the next speaker of the House of Representatives, has chosen Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, a former Liberal Party (LP) member, to be the majority leader of the House in the incoming 17th Congress.

Fariñas said he moved to the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the political party of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte, for love of his constituents.

However, Alvarez said PDP-Laban is not yet giving out chairmanships of the various committees.

“That is the sole announcement that I have made,” he said in Filipino during a closed-door meeting with some members of the Northern Luzon Alliance in Quezon City Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s up to Congressman Fariñas because they will allocate the committee chairmanships.” 

Alvarez made the statement after Pangasinan Rep. Rosemarie Arenas asked him what he can offer her as soon as she had transferred to  PDP-Laban.

“We cannot yet give away even one, to be honest about this,” he said.

Arenas, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson and Abra Rep. JB Bernos pledged alliance to PDP-Laban on Wednesday.

Alvarez promised incumbent House members that they will be the administration’s bet in the 2019 midterm elections should they transfer to them as had been agreed on in the PDP-Laban meeting of officials.

Alvarez was responding to Quezon City Rep. Vincent Crisologo when he was asked if he would be the administration’s bet in the upcoming midterm elections.

He said that they have already required all existing officers of PDP-Laban in various regions and provinces to tender their resignation to give way to new members of the party.

Some staunch LP members have signed a manifesto of support to the programs of incoming president Duterte and to the leadership of Alvarez.

Among those who signed the manifesto were Reps. Rodito Albano, Linabelle Ruth Villarica, Ana Cristina Go, Ronald Cosalan, Singson, Fariñas, Dax Cua, Randolp Ting, Marlyn Agabas, Baby Alfonso, Maximo Dalog, Conrad Estrella III, Bernos, Sandra Eriguel, Leopoldo Bataoil, Romeo Acop, Imelda Marcos, Napoleon Dy, DV Savellano, Christopher de Venecia and Arenas.

Rep. Jose Panganiban Sr. of ANAC-IP also signed the manifesto.