Vilma Santos-Recto, 3 others elected House deputy speakers

Batangas 6th District Representative Vilma Santos-Recto has been elected as one of the deputy speakers at the House of Representatives.

During its plenary session on Tuesday, the House elected Recto and three other lawmakers to the second highest-ranking position in the chamber.

Other lawmakers who were installed to the same position were Ilocos Sur Representative Deogracias Victor Savellano, Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman, and 1-PACMAN party-list Representative Michael Romero.

Santos-Recto and the three other lawmakers join the list of 20 congressmen who have been elected deputy speakers, namely:

• Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte
• South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez
• Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero
• Antique Rep. Loren Legarda
• Abono party-list Rep. Conrado Estrella III
• Surigao Del Sur 1st District Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr.
• Antipolo City Rep. Roberto Puno
• CIBAC party-list Rep. Eduardo "Bro. Eddie" Villanueva
• Pampanga Rep. Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales
• Surigao Del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel
• Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte
• Batangas 2nd Rep. Raneo Abu
• Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II
• Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez
• Pangasinan Rep. Rose Marie "Baby" Arenas
• 1-SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta
• Misamis Occidental Rep. Henry Oaminal
• Cebu Rep. Pablo John Garcia

Deputy speakers are tasked to take over the functions of the Speaker when the latter is absent or incapacitated.

They may also preside over the hearing even when the Speaker is present if he or she "does not preside, or has not designated any other Member as temporary presiding officer." —KBK, GMA News