Deputy speakers ensure regional representation in House leadership, says Rufus

The decision to elect more deputy speakers at the House of Representatives is to ensure that all regions in the country will be properly represented in the position, Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said Wednesday.

Rodriguez made the explanation after the House elected nine more deputy speakers last Monday, bringing their total number to 29.

"The rationale is to be able to have more representation from the regions," Rodriguez told reporters in a media forum.

"You know, we have Imperial Manila always. So therefore the Speaker deems it necessary to make sure there is representation from the 16 regions," he added.

In fact, Rodriguez said he was installed to his position to forward the interests of his fellow Mindanaoans.

Rodriguez serves as representative of the second district of Cagayan De Oro City.

"Since I am from Mindanao and I am founder of the Abante Mindanao for the interest of Mindanao, the Speaker, in our talk, would have me also be able to work for the concerns of Mindanao. And of course the other one is on legal issues, about our bills that deals with constitutional issues and other actions of the House," he said.

"Therefore, the designation of additional nine [deputy speaker] will be good for our Congress because you'll have more representation to the Speaker and to the deputy speakers. So that is a move in the right direction," he added.

The House underwent a major leadership reorganization --- from the deputy speakership down to the committee chairmanship --- following the election of Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Many of those who were installed to deputy speaker posts are known allies of Velasco, including Occidental Mindoro Representative Salvador Leachon, Valenzuela City Representative Eric Martinez, and 1-PACMAN party-list Representative Mikee Romero.

They replaced some of the supporters of former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano from this position, such as Camarines Sur Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte, Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, and Batangas Representative Raneo Abu. -NB, GMA News