Pablo Garcia named deputy speaker: Powerful House post for Tomas

CEBU, Philippines - Neophyte Cebu City south district Rep. Tomas Osmeña will emerge as one of the most powerful members of the House of Representatives.

This after Osmeña is expected to be appointed as vice chairman of House committee on appropriations when the 15th Congress formally opens tomorrow.

Expected to head the committee is Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Coincidentally, Osmeña and Abaya are both grandsons of former Philippine presidents. Osmeña is the grandson of former president Sergio Osmeña Sr. while Abaya is the grandson of former president Emilio Aguinaldo.

An official of the administration Liberal Party who requested anonymity said it was already agreed that Abaya will chair the appropriations committee.

Abaya, 44, who is now on his last third term, represents the first district of Cavite. 

The FREEMAN source said that the LP congressmen and their allies from other parties have agreed on who should occupy various House committee chairmanships.

Osmeña, for his part, said he would accept the vice chairmanship of the appropriations committee, considered the most powerful among House committees, if appointed to the position.

The former Cebu City mayor said as committee vice chair, he can facilitate the implementation of more projects in the city.

It was also reported that Cebu second district Rep. Pablo Garcia will be reelected as deputy House Speaker for the Visayas.

Garcia confirmed to The FREEMAN last nigh that he heard of the report about his impending reelection.

He said he was also happy about Osmeña’s position in the appropriations committee.

“Makaayo g’yud natong mga Sugboanon kon dunay Cebuano nga makalingkod og dagkong katungdanan sa Kongreso,” said Garcia, who confirmed that many congressmen are also eyeing the powerful committee.

The appropriations committee handles all matters relating to the expenditures of the national government, including the payment of public indebtedness, creation, abolition and classification of positions in government, and the determination of salaries, allowances and benefits of government personnel.

It was confirmed that Quezon City fourth district Rep. Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte, a Liberal Party member, will be the next Speaker. 

The LP had gained support of more than 200 House members to install Belmonte as the next Speaker.

It was agreed that three of the six deputy speakers should come from LP. As deputy speakers, they will automatically become members of all committees and will have voting power.

According to the House rules, deputy speakers will assume the duties and powers of the Speaker when the latter is absent or temporarily incapacitated.

In case of resignation, removal, permanent incapacity or death, the deputy speaker assumes the post until a new one is elected.

There is no information yet about what committee goes to Cebu City north district Rep. Rachel “Cutie” Del Mar, also an administration party member. — /LPM   (FREEMAN NEWS)