House minority dwindling

MANILA, Philippines — They’re getting fewer every day.

The two groups in a tug-of-war for the post of House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez saw more defections yesterday, following moves within both squabbling camps to join the super majority coalition in the administration-dominated House of Representatives.

At least two allies of deposed speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and former House majority leader Rodolfo Fariñas were among the lawmakers who “manifested their intention to join the majority” as shown by a list from Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s camp.

They were Reps. Dakila Cua of the lone district of Quirino and Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur, chairmen of the House committees on ways and means and good government and public accountability, respectively.

Pangasinan Rep. Christopher de Venecia, son of former speaker Jose de Venecia, is also included in the list. The older De Venecia had a falling out with Arroyo in 2008 when she was still president, in connection with the botched $329-million ZTE broadband deal.

The younger De Venecia was earlier included in the 24-member bloc of former House deputy speaker Miro Quimbo of Marikina, whose small opposition Liberal Party had joined forces with the seven-member Makabayan bloc and Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman’s Magnificent 7.

Both Quimbo and the Alvarez-Fariñas tandem (through Rep. Eugene de Vera of party-list ABS) are claiming the post that has not been left or declared vacant by Suarez, the duly-acknowledged opposition in the House.

One of Suarez’s former colleagues, Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III, is also joining the majority.

Nine others have also sent feelers to join the administration coalition – Reps. Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City, Frederick Abueg and Gil Acosta of Palawan, Nancy Catamco and Jesus Sacdalan of North Cotabato, Jorge Almonte of Misamis Occidental, Peter Unabia of Misamis Oriental, Ann Hofer of Zamboanga-Sibugay and Joel Mayo Almario of Davao Oriental.

The House leadership has officially recognized Suarez as the legitimate minority leader after he was invited to attend last week’s meeting of the House committee on rules headed by Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr.

Deputy Minority Leader Alfredo Garbin of party-list Ako Bicol revealed that the meeting, which Suarez attended, was a clear indication that their group is the only recognized and legitimate minority bloc.

“That was the first time that we attended the rules panel meeting to set the plenary legislative agenda under Arroyo. What other proof is needed? We are clearly the minority bloc,” the lawyer-lawmaker stressed in a mix of English and Filipino.