It took a while, but it's finally official--Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the senior deputy speaker of the House of Representatives in the 19th Congress.
Arroyo took her oath for the position during the plenary session Wednesday, Aug. 17. Administering the oath of the former president was House Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte's 2nd district.
Arroyo was named senior deputy speaker at the start of the 19th Congress late last month. However, she was infected with Covid-19 and was forced to go on a medical leave.
Because of this, her eight fellow deputy speakers have all previously taken their oath at the plenary.
The eight other deputy speakers in the chamber are Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto, Davao City 3rd district Rep. Isidro Ungab, Antipolo 1st district Rep. Roberto Puno, Las Pinas lone district Rep. Camille Villar, Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza, Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Frasco, and Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr.
Arroyo, who is also a former speaker, is a party-mate of Romualdez at Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)
Former Oriental Mindoro 1st Rep. Doy Leachon held the title of senior deputy speaker during the previous 18th Congress.