Robredo: LP decision to join House majority a show of support for Duterte’s mandate

[VIDEO] VP Robredo: LP decision to join House supermajority a show of support for mandate of President Duterte. pic.twitter.com/xwI9G4uwdG

— R-A. Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) July 26, 2016

The Liberal Party's decision to join the supermajority coalition in the House of Representatives is a testament of support for the mandate given to President Rodrigo Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo said Tuesday.

Robredo—now the highest elected official of the former ruling party—said it was agreed upon that the party will follow the decision of majority of its members.

In this case, LP's group at the lower chamber decided to join the coalition led by Duterte's party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

"Parang naging klaro naman sa usapan na ang paniniwala ng LP as a party ay igalang 'yung mandate na ibinigay sa ating Presidente, at gagawin 'yung lahat para makapagbigay ng suporta. Isang paraan para sa mga miyembro ng Mababang Kapulungan 'yung magbigay ng suporta na sumanib sa majority," she said at a press briefing.

She added: "Si (former) Speaker (Feliciano) Belmonte (Jr.), 'yung nagli-lead ng LP sa House, napakalawak talaga nu'ng konsultasyon na ginawa... Walang unanimous na decision dahil merong mga miyembro ng LP na pinili pa rin na sumali sa minority. Pero nagdesisyon sila the other day na 'yung majority talaga ng members ng LP sa House, mas gusto na sumali sa majority, kaya 'yun ang nasunod."

LP, which counts some 40 members, formalized its entry into the supermajority by signing a coalition agreement with PDP-Laban on Sunday, eve of the opening of the 17th Congress.

In the process, Belmonte no longer sought the post of minority leader.

However, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, an LP stalwart, ran for speakership on Monday.

Baguilat got eight votes, a distant runner-up to Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, who was elected as House Speaker with 251 votes.

'Titular role'

Robredo prefers "titular" role in LP leadership, given "too much in my hands right now" w/ work as VP & HUDCC chief. pic.twitter.com/aqo63VYu9z

— R-A. Dioquino (@AicaDioquino) July 26, 2016

Meanwhile, Robredo maintained that she prefers to be a nominal head of the LP.

The Vice President said some party leaders have encouraged her to take on a leadership role, something she expects they can discuss "in the coming days."

"Sabi ko pag-usapan, kasi baka naman puwede na head ka ng party pero mas ceremonial, mas nominal. Baka mas mabuti na 'yung magpatakbo ng partido, 'yung matagal na talaga sa partido," she said.

Earlier, former President Benigno Aquino III—the current party chairman—said Robredo would either take his place or become party president, given that she is the highest elected official there.

However, the Vice President, who joined the party only when she ran for Camarines Sur representative in 2013, pointed out that some of her partymates are more familiar with the workings of the party.

"Siguro, eventually, I can take it on, pero ngayon baka mas mabuti na 'yung mga matatagal na, mas alam na 'yung ins and outs ng partido, sila 'yung mag-take muna ng leadership role. Ina-assure ko naman sila na parati naman akong nandiyan," Robredo said.

She noted that she wishes to focus on her work as vice president and concurrent chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC).

"'Yun 'yung preference ko. 'Yung pakiramdam ko lang kasi, I have too much in my hands right now. Itong pagpalit ng mukha ng Office of the Vice President, napakalaking bagay kasi para kaming nagsisimula ng isang bagay na wala pa diyan before, making the office more advocacy-heavy. Tapos bigla pang dumating 'yung HUDCC, ang dami ring housing concerns," she said. — RSJ, GMA News