House minority will be 'constructive', says bloc newbie Herrera
Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera said that the members of the minority bloc in the 19th Congress will be agents of "constructive checks and balance".

This, as Herrera said that she was "excited" for her new role with the minority, after serving on the other side of the fence as deputy majority leader and deputy speaker during the previous 18th Congress.
"Ang wrong notion kasi is yung (The wrong notion is that) minority is opposition--no. Actually, it's giving a different point of view, it's pointing out things to improve, constructive checks and balance tayo (We're for constructive checks and balance). And that's what we aim ," she told reporters Monday night, July 25 after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. delivered his first State of the Nation Address (SONA).
"And I'm excited, this is a new challenge for me," Herrera said.
She was entitled to plum positions in the House during the 18th Congress thanks to her being an integral part of the majority bloc.
But on Monday morning, during the first session of the 19th Congress, the lady solon was one of the 22 House members who did not enter a vote during the speakership election. This automatically made the 22 solons--as well as the four abstainers and lone negative voter--part of the minority bloc.
"That means I belong to the minority," Herrera said.
The minority bloc had a meeting at 2 p.m. Monday for the purpose of determining its officials, foremost of which is the minority leader.
The names of the minority bloc officials are expected to be revealed during Tuesday afternoon's session. Herrera declined to reveal her position during the interview.
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez was elected as House Speaker after garnering 283 affirmative votes.u