Dong Gonzales replaces Gloria Arroyo as senior deputy speaker

The House of Representatives has elected Pampanga Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales, Jr. the Senior Deputy Speaker, the House leadership announced on Wednesday.

In a statement, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose "Mannix" Dalipe said this was to unburden former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo "of the heavy load required from the position."

In her own statement, Arroyo said the move was "the prerogative of the House." —NB, GMA Integrated News