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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Next move for Benitez, Frasco, and Tiangco? Join forces, that's what

Next move for Benitez, Frasco, and Tiangco? Join forces, that's what

Published Jul 28, 2025 11:36 pm

At A Glance

  • Bacolod City lone district Rep. Albee Benitez, Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, and Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco were all rumored to be eyeing the House Speakership at one point after the May 2025 polls. Now, they're planning to join forces and form a new independent bloc in the House of Representatives.
From left to right:Bacolod City lone district Rep. Albee Benitez, Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, and Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco (Facebook)
From left to right:Bacolod City lone district Rep. Albee Benitez, Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, and Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco (Facebook)


Bacolod City lone district Rep. Albee Benitez, Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco, and Navotas City lone district Rep. Toby Tiangco were all rumored to be eyeing the House Speakership at one point after the May 2025 polls.
Now, they're planning to join forces and form a new independent bloc in the House of Representatives.
This was confirmed by Benitez in an interview with House reporters directly following President Marcos' State of the Nation Address (SONA) late Monday afternoon, July 28.
"Ayun ang pinag-uusapan namin (That’s what we're talking about). I think Cong Toby is contemplating on doing that," he said when asked if they would form an independent group together, especially with Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez bagging winning the Speakership anew in the 20th Congress.
Benitez claimed that he had already met with Tiangco and Frasco. He said that while they never intended to be a group, they found a common ground in that they don't want to be associated with either the majority or the minority blocs.
"So far tatlo lang kami, I dont know kung sino pa ang ano. Hindi naman pinag-usapan to di ba? Although there were certain exchanges of communication, pero hindi naman talagang plinano, di ba?" said the known power-broker.
(So far, there are just three of us. I’m not sure who else is involved. This wasn’t really discussed, was it? Although there were certain exchanges of communication, it wasn’t actually planned, right?)
"So this just happened. Let's see where we go from here," he said.
Benitez, Frasco, and Tiangco all abstained from the Speakership vote in Monday's morning session before the SONA.
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