Several important posts in the ongoing 19th Congress were filled by the House of Representatives leadership during the plenary session on Wednesday night, Aug. 3.
These posts includes seats in the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA) as well as the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).
Elected to the CA were:
Pangasinan 5th district Rep. Ramon Guico Jr.
Cavite 2nd district Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla
Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo
Bataan 2nd district Rep. Albert Garcia
Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte
Negros Oriental 2nd district Rep. Manuel Sagarbarria
Bacolod Rep. Greg Gasataya
SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta
Surigao del Sur 2nd district Rep. Johnny Pimentel
GP Party-list Rep. Jose Gay Padiernos
Meanwhile, the following House members gained seats in the HRET:
Davao City 2nd district Rep. Vincent Garcia
Cebu 3rd district Rep. Pablo John Garcia
Batangas 3rd district Rep. Maria Theresa Collantes
Davao Oriental 1st district Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang
Bulacan 4th district Rep. Linabelle Ruth Villarica
ABONO Party-list Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella
The CA is a constitutional body that confirms or rejects certain political appointments made by the President of the Philippines. There is also a Senate contingent to the CA.
The HRET, on the other hand, is an electoral tribunal that decides election protests in the House of Representatives of the Philippines. It consists of six representatives and three justices of the Supreme Court (SC) of the Philippines, who are designated by the Chief Justice.
In a related development, San Jose Del Monte City lone district Rep. Florida "Rida" Robes has been installed as chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. The panel is the House counterpart of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Before this, the House leadership rescinded its prior designation of Robes as chairperson of the House Committee on People’s Participation.