DEFENSOR, Garin, Baronda, Gorriceta, and Biron.
ILOILO CITY – Majority of lawmakers from this city and province of Iloilo voted for Isabela Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy III as new House Speaker.
Voting in favor of Dy were Reps. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda of the lone district here, Janette Loreto-Garin of the first district, Kathryn Joyce Fermin-Gorriceta of the second district, Lorenz “Noy” Defensor of the third district, and Ferjenel “Ferj” Biron of the fourth district.
“The House needs this change. The House needs to rebuild its reputation and regain its integrity after what has happened (with) the anomalous budget on the flood control. We have to rebuild the public trust,” said Defensor prior to the election of Dy on Wednesday afternoon.
Reps. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. of USWAG Ilonggo party-list and Binky Binky Montesclaros-Tupas of the fifth district did not vote. Ang and Tupas appeared to be absent during the voting.
Ang was previously named by the Discaya couple as one of the lawmakers allegedly involved in kickbacks in government flood control projects.
With the exception of Tupas, all Ilonggo lawmakers voted for Romualdez when the 20th Congress opened on July 28.