Party-list lawmaker faces ouster from House or Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — A party-list lawmaker is facing ouster from the House of Representatives.

Minority Leader Danilo Suarez told a news conference yesterday that party-list group Arts, Business and Sciences (ABS) is trying to recall its representative, Eugene Michael de Vera.

“They have approached me and other members of the minority and discussed with us their complaints against their representative. But we told them they have to settle things among themselves,” he said.

Deputy minority leader and Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said a party-list group could recall its representative any time.

“We recalled the late Roy Señeres as our nominee in mid-term,” he said.

De Vera is the chosen minority leader of the group of former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and erstwhile majority leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas.

He has challenged before the Supreme Court the decision of the House majority to recognize Suarez as minority leader.            

Rep. Arnel Ty of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers Association, who belongs to the Alvarez-Fariñas group, said the majority moved to oust De Vera at near midnight on Monday.

He said he promptly protested the move and questioned the lack of quorum.

That derailed De Vera’s ouster, he said.

However, he said the majority could again attempt to remove their minority leader any time before Congress adjourns for its Halloween recess next week.

Ty claimed that the group of Suarez was behind the majority’s move, an allegation the minority leader denied.

“We have nothing to do with it. It’s an internal matter that their party-list group should resolve,” Suarez said.

Atienza said it was unfair for Ty to claim that the minority was trying to oust De Vera.

Meanwhile, the House yesterday gained another member in Paul Hernandez of party-list group Kabayan.

Hernandez replaced the late Ciriaco Calalang. He took his oath before Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He is the second Kabayan representative after Ron Salo.

Back to CA 

In another development, Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. of Davao del Norte’s second district reclaimed his seat in the Commission on Appointments (CA), the body empowered to approve major presidential appointments and promotions in the military and diplomatic service.

He and Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. took their oath of office yesterday as new CA members before Senate President Vicente Sotto lll, who is CA chairman.

Floirendo lost his CA seat in May last year in the wake of his bitter quarrel with his erstwhile close friend, Alvarez, who represents Davao del Norte’s first district.            

A spat between their girlfriends reportedly triggered their feud.

Floirendo also lost his membership in the administration PDP-Laban party, of which Alvarez is secretary general. He has allied himself with Hugpong sa Pagbabago of presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

He is facing before the Sandiganbayan a graft case arising from a complaint filed by his former close friend.

Alvarez was ousted as speaker last July 23 in the aftermath of an equally bitter feud with the President’s mayor-daughter and was replaced by Arroyo.

The House has retained San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora as head of its 12-member CA contingent. He is vice chairman of the appointments body.

The other contingent members are Julieta Cortuna of A-Teacher, Jerry Treñas of Iloilo City, Wes Gatchalian of Valenzuela City, Seth Frederick Jalosjos of Zamboanga del Norte, Scot Davies Lanete of Masbate, Benhur Salimbangon of Cebu, Abraham Tolentino of Cavite, Aurora Cerilles of Zamboanga del Sur and Josephine Sato of Mindoro Occidental.

Sotto’s Senate colleagues in the CA are Francis Pangilinan, Gregorio Honasan, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Risa Hontiveros, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Panfilo Lacson, Sherwin Gatchalian, Aquilino Pimentel lll, Grace Poe, Ralph Recto, Cynthia Villar and Juan Miguel Zubiri.