House implements mini-reshuffle to start 2nd regular session
At A Glance
- The House of Representatives begins the second regular session of the 20th Congress with a reshuffle of Commission on Appointments members and leadership posts.
- Four new lawmakers are elected to the CA, while Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores becomes deputy majority leader under the rigodon, leaving his chairmanship of the Dangerous Drugs Committee.
- All motions by Majority Leader Sandro Marcos are swiftly approved in plenary, marking the third session of the new regular term.
The House plenary (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
The House of Representatives began the second regular session of the current 20th Congress with a minor reshuffle of plum posts.
During plenary session Wednesday, July 29, Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos made several motions to elect new members of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).
Elected to the CA were Camiguin lone district Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Abono Party-list Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella, Cavite 5th district Rep. Roy Loyola, and Camarines Sur 4th district Rep. Arnie Fuentebella.
They replaced from the CA La Union 1st district Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V, TGP Party-list Rep. Jose Teves Jr., Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, and Negros Occidental 6th district Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, respectively.
The 25-member CA is constitutionally mandated to confirm or reject key presidential appointments based on merit and integrity. It is composed of 12 senators, 12 House members, and the Senate President as ex-officio presiding officer.
Meanwhile, Marcos also elected Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores as new deputy majority leader under the rigodon. Flores left his chaimanship of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs as a result.
Flores now becomes part of the House Committee on Rules, which Marcos heads as chairman.
Flores, a lawyer, is part of the House prosecution panel in the ongoing Senate impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte.
All of the presidential son's motions were swiftly approved in plenary.
Wednesday's plenary session was only the third one held under the second regular session, which began last Monday, July 29.