House party-list coalition to collectively vote for next Speaker

An organization of at least 50 party-list representatives in the 18th Congress is set to collectively vote for the next Speaker of the House.

The Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. held a meeting on Thursday to hear the legislative agenda of three of their fellow lawmakers aspiring to become Speaker, namely Taguig City Representative-elect Alan Peter Cayetano, Leyte Representative-elect Martin Romualdez, and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco.

Members of the Party-list Coalition of the House of Representatives meet with the aspirants for the speakership in the 18th Congress. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/nGTaqiaCtk

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) May 23, 2019

"We all heard them. It took us more than half a day and we just finished the process. After this, we will do an election which of the speaker [aspirants] we will support, but definitely not today," said 1-PACMAN party-list Representative Michael Romero, who was also elected president of the coalition earlier in the day.

Romero said the party-list lawmakers talked lengthily with the Speaker aspirants about their issues, particularly about them being treated as "second-class citizens" in Congress.

"That's one of the things na dini-discuss namin and how to go about it. Maraming na-discuss. In fact we are very happy that we had this talk with all the 'speakerables' because maraming na-air na side," he said.

The coalition is also inviting other bidders for the speakership to meet with them, Romero said, including former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Davao City Representative-elect Paolo Duterte and Antique Representative-elect Loren Legarda, if they are serious with their bids.

"After we talk to everyone, then we can decide. Matagal pa naman yung botohan sa Kongreso but we have to align ourselves to a certain Speaker aspirant," he said.

Romero said that aside from an aspirant's legislative agenda, the endorsement of President Rodrigo Duterte would also play a big role in their choice for the next Speaker.

"Of course kung sino yung pipiliin ni Presidente would give a lot of weight. But 'yung coalition bloc is looking at what is most beneficial to the constituents. Marami kasing constituents 'yung coalition bloc e so 'yun ang pag-aaralan namin," he said.

The Party-list Coalition may hold a similar meeting next week if Alvarez and Paolo Duterte are available to talk with them, Romero said. — BM, GMA News