Noynoy named deputy speaker

Tarlac Rep. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III was named yesterday one of the four deputy speakers of the House of Representatives.

"The majority coalition caucus, attended by more than 150 members, has unanimously agreed to designate Representative Aquino as deputy speaker representing the Liberal Party," Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. said.

Meanwhile, De Venecia announced yesterday the creation of four special committees and two standing committees in the House after splitting the committee on transportation and communication.

The four special committees are those on overseas Filipinos to be headed by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman; railways development, by Misamis Oriental Rep. Augusto Baculio; maritime affairs, by Sorsogon Rep. Jose Solis; and on fisheries, by Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte.

De Venecia said the coalition decided to create the committee on railways to underline the government’s priority to modernize and expand the national railways system to provide an efficient and affordable means of transportation.