House Spokesperson Princess Abante says it is "very clear" that Speaker Martin Romualdez is "steering the House of Representatives [in] the right direction" as he opposed Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco's claim that there was no unity among the members of the lower chamber.
House spox debunks Frasco's claim, says Romualdez 'steering House in right direction'
House Spokesperson Princess Abante (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Abante said the fact that Frasco was able to express his "frustration" about the leadership that he believed "divides rather than unites" was proof that the House Speaker did not dictate on anybody.
"We respect the statement of Cong. Frasco, at klaro lang ito na walang dinidiktahan, walang pinipilit sa (it's just clear proof that nobody is being dictated upon, there is no coercion in the) House of Representatives," Abante said in a press conference Tuesday, June 10.
The newly-installed House spokesperson also emphasized that 280 House members already signed a manifesto of support for Romualdez to retain his speakership in the upcoming 20th Congress.
She says there is also unity among solons as proven by the accomplishments that the House of Representatives has achieved under the 19th Congress.
"Isipin niyo, out of the 64 LEDAC bills, 61 ay napasa na ng (Think about it, out of 64 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council bills, 61 were already passed by the) House of Representatives," she said.
"27 out of the 28 priority measures for the third session, pasado na. Hindi kasama dito yung iba pang mga priorities ng House at 'yung mga inquiries at yung investigations na ginawa (27 out of 28 priority measures also passed the third session. And it's on top of other House priorities and investigations that were done)," she added.
On Monday, June 9, Frasco, a House deputy speaker, confirmed his refusal to sign the manifesto of support for Romualdez in the upcoming 20th Congress.
He claims that "there is deep disappointment that the unity our people once hoped for has been steadily undermined by political and personal interests".