As newly-elected Deputy Speaker, Bagong Henerasyon partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera vowed on Tuesday to move forward the Lower Chamber’s “mission” to rally behind, promote, and safeguard the welfare and interest of Filipinos.
“I’m truly honored and humbled by the trust and confidence my fellow lawmakers have placed in me, and I promise to do my best to meet their expectations,” she said in a statement.
During Monday’s plenary session, Herrera was among the nine House members who were elected as deputy speakers.
She thanked Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and her colleagues for having faith in her abilities to be one of the second-highest ranking officials in the Lower Chamber.
“It is my honor and privilege to accept the position of Deputy Speaker. I know it is a significant commitment, but I am prepared to contribute along with other House leaders to fulfill the chamber’s mission to support, promote, and protect the interests of Filipinos we represent in Congress,” Herrera said.
The House leader noted that the election of deputy speakers from various political parties showed Velasco’s “shared by all” style of leadership.
“Speaker Velasco strongly believes in the concept of shared leadership where every member takes ownership to contribute to the institution’s overall success,” Herrera said.
Aside from Herrera, Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Pampanga 4th district Rep. Rimpy Bondoc, Valenzuela 2nd district Rep. Eric Martinez, Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson Meehan, Zamboanga del Sur 1st district Rep. Divina Grace Yu, Valenzuela 1st district Rep. Weslie Gatchalian, Lone District of Sarangani Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao, and Manila 6th district Rep. Benny Abante were elected as deputy speakers.
Teves and Bondoc replaced Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Dong Gonzales, and Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel as deputy speakers. However, Gonzales and Pimentel were designated as chairpersons of the House Special Committee on Bases Conversion and House Special Committee on Strategic Intelligence, respectively.
During Monday’s plenary session, Navotas lone district Rep. John Rey Tiangco was elected as chairperson of the Committee on Trade and Industry, La Union 2nd district Rep. Sandra Eriguel as head of the House Committee on Inter-parliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, and Quezon City 5th district Rep. Alfred Vargas as chairman of the House Committee on Social Services, replacing Eriquel.
Pangasinan 6th district Rep. Tyrone Agabas and AMIN partylist Rep. Amihilda Sangcopan also got the Deputy Majority Leader and Assistant Majority Leader posts, respectively.
Meanwhile, Sulu 2nd district Rep. Munir Arbison was named member of the House contingent to the Commission on Appointments.