Marikina City 2nd Rep. Stella Quimbo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Marikina City 2nd district Rep. Stella Quimbo says the House Committee on Appropriations will continue to function even without a chairman.

"Tuloy lang naman po ang functions ng ating Committee on Appropriations (Our Committee on Appropriations will continue its functions). We’ll continue to function as before," Quimbo told House reporters in a chance interview on Tuesday, Jan. 14.

The chairmanship of the appropriations panel was declared vacant during plenary session Monday, Jan. 13. The panel was chaired for the past three years by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. 

Quimbo is currently the highest-ranking solon in the committee, being the senior vice chairperson.

Asked if she would take over from Co as the full-fledged chairperson, the lady lawmaker said: "Basta I ensure ko na magpa-function siya as before (At any rate, I assure you that it will function as before.)

The aspring Marikina mayor shared that she had already received instructions from the House leadership as far as the appropriations panel is concerned. 

'I was advised by the leadership [that] I am to ensure that our Committee on Appropriations will continue to function as before."

The decision to vacate the panel’s chairmanahip has raised a lot of eyebrows since it followed the signing of the P6.352-trillion 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) or national budget. President Marcos is reportedly not happy with this year’s outlay.

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Co has said that "pressing health concerns" caused him to step down from his post, which is among the most important not just in the House of Representatives but in the entire legislature. The panel overseas the crafting and filing of the budget bill.

Acting capacity only

Meanwhile, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco supported Quimbo's statements in that she would take on the Committee on Appropriations chairmanship in an "acting" capacity.

"She's (Quimbo) member number two," Velasco said in a separate interview, referring to her senior position. 

"If the House would like to have a chairman, then it has to be presented to the plenary for approval. So, acting capacity lang po (it's only in an acting capacity)," he said. 

Velasco would affirm this in a subsequent statement Tuesday afternoon, wherein he cited Rule IX, Section 32 on vacancy and succession.

"In case of a vacancy in the position of committee chairperson by reason of death, resignation, permanent disability, or removal, the vacancy shall also be filled by the Member next in succession in the committee list. This Member shall perform the duties of the chairperson only until such time that a new chairperson is chosen and assumes office in accordance with Section 31," he said.

"Therefore, the designation of Rep. Stella Quimbo as the acting leader of the House Committee on Appropriations is in compliance with the rules. She is serving as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the committee and will perform the functions of the chairperson in an acting capacity until the House designates a permanent chairperson in accordance with the applicable rules," explained Velasco.