Libanan likely to keep House minority leader post

MANILA, Philippines — Reelected 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan is likely to keep his post as House minority leader in the 20th Congress after a show of support from his peers.

In a manifesto signed by 26 lawmakers, including Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno and ML party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Libanan was endorsed as minority leader, while the signatories also decided to form the official opposition bloc.

“With confidence in his ability to lead with honor, wisdom, and dedication, we affirm our collective support for Rep. Libanan as minority leader,” the manifesto read.

The lawmakers also emphasized Libanan’s extensive experience across both the legislative and executive branches of government, saying he “embodies the values of transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance – principles essential to a strong and responsible minority bloc.”

Libanan heads the 11-person House prosecution panel for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Diokno and De Lima are also members of the panel.

Other signatories of the manifesto were Bukidnon 3rd district Rep. Audrey Zubiri; Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co; Northern Samar 1st district Rep. Niko Raul Daza; Akbayan party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula; Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales; Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Roberto Gerard Nazal Jr.; Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Elijah San Fernando; Galing sa Puso party-list Rep. Jan Rurik Padiernos; Malasakit at Bayanihan party-list Rep. Mary Girlie Veloso; Caloocan 2nd district Rep. Edgar Erice; Albay 1st district Rep. Cielo Kirsel Lagman-Luistro; Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene Bag-ao; Quezon City 4th district Rep. Jesus Suntay; ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio; Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon; Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña; Leyte 4th district Rep. Richard Gomez; Samar 1st district Rep. Stephen James Tan; Samar 2nd district Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan; LPGMA party-list Rep. Allan Ty; APEC party-list Rep. Sergio Dagooc; PHILRECA party-list Rep. Presley de Jesus; Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay, and 4Ps party-list Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos II.

Libanan previously served for nine years as the representative of the lone congressional district of Eastern Samar, during which he also chaired the House committee on justice.

Like the majority leader, the minority leader is elected in a caucus of all members of the House in the minority. He is an ex-officio member of all standing committees.

In another development, reelected Cagayan de Oro 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez topped the list of lawmakers with most number of authored bills in the 19th Congress.

Rodriguez, who authored 978 bills, is followed by former Camarines Sur 2nd district representative and now-Gov. LRay Villafuerte (812), Camarines Sur 1st district Rep. Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata (523) and Camarines Sur 5th district Rep. Miguel Luis Villafuerte (432).