Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar declines election as deputy speaker

Las Piñas City Representative Camille Villar has declined her election as deputy speaker at the House of Representatives hours after being elected.

In a letter addressed to Speaker Lord Allan Velasco shared with reporters late Wednesday night, Villar expressed her appreciation to the House leader for offering her the position.

"It is an opportune time to work with my fellow congressmen and the leaders of the House of Representatives on policy measures that would give personal and economic relief to our kababayans amid the past disasters and the pandemic," she said.

"But the greater tact is adherent responsibility to our constituents, and the constant affinity to the leadership and nation," she added.

Nevertheless, Villar assured Velasco her commitment and support to the legislative agenda of the House.

Villar was one of the three lawmakers who were elected deputy speakers in the latest revamp at the House of Representatives following the election of Velasco.

The two other lawmakers elected to the post were Cagayan De Oro City Representative Rufus Rodriguez and Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza.

They replaced Capiz Representative Fredenil Castro, Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, and Batangas Representative Raneo Abu, all known allies of former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano. —Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News