Sandro Marcos in the running as next House Majority Leader —Ortega

Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander "Sandro" Marcos, son of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., is being considered to be the next House Majority Leader for the upcoming 20th Congress, La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said Thursday.

"The name of [former] Senior Deputy Majority Leader Marcos is being floated around. He is very much qualified," Ortega said in a press conference.

"But we'll see, since there are many qualified members of the House for leadership positions. And regardless of the title, we need to see the work ethic. That is all I know so far," Ortega added.

Ortega then said that while seniority is a factor in choosing House leadership positions, there are other things that should be considered.

"It is also about being responsible, building relationships... We need teamwork to shepherd the passage of bills. The wealth of experience is considered, but it is combined with other factors. And as you've seen, we neophytes in the 19th Congress were provided enough training ground," Ortega, who served as assistant majority leader last Congress, said.

Congressman Marcos served as the House's Senior Deputy Majority Leader during the 19th Congress or during his first term as a legislator.

The 19th Congress was led by then Speaker and reelected Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, cousin of President Marcos, Jr. and uncle of Congressman Marcos. —VAL, GMA Integrated News