Ako Bicol solon Garbin quits Commission on Appointments

Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. has resigned from the Commission on Appointments (CA) and has vowed to pursue a “more independent position” in the House of Representatives.

Garbin’s resignation from the CA was announced during the House’s plenary session on Wednesday evening.

The House elected ABONO Party-list Rep. Robert Raymund “Eskimo” Estrella to replace Garbin as a member of the CA.

In a statement sent to GMA News Online, Garbin said he decided to respectfully step down from his CA membership “after thoughtful reflection” and to “assume a more independent position in Congress.”

“This decision comes from a place of personal conviction and continued commitment to public service – not from any form of disagreement, resentment, or political rift,” he said.

“Let me be clear: I have committed no wrongdoing, and I remain fully guided by the trust reposed in me by the people I serve,” Garbin added.

Composed of 24 members of the Senate and the House, the CA is mandated to approve or disapprove appointments made by the President, the confirmation of which is required under the 1987 Constitution.

Garbin is one of two representatives of Ako Bicol, the party-list of resigned Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co who is facing charges for alleged anomalies in a P289 million flood control project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

After Co resigned as a lawmaker and first nominee of Ako Bicol, he was replaced by Rep. Jan Franz Chan.

Amid his resignation from the CA, Garbin stressed that he will “continue to support all programs, measures, and initiatives of the House leadership and the Majority that are genuinely beneficial to the Filipino people.”

He added that he will continue to help Ako Bicol in staying true to its original vision of advancing welfare-based programs for the underprivileged.

“I am not stepping away from my mandate. On the contrary, I reaffirm my full commitment to my duties as a legislator – guided by fairness, due process, and constructive participation in lawmaking. My service continues with humility, openness to dialogue, and a steady resolve to work with all sides in Congress whenever the interests of the nation call for unity,” Garbin said.

Also on Wednesday, the House elected Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores as House Assistant Majority Leader, replacing USWAG-ILONGGO Rep. James “Jojo” Ang Jr. who resigned as House Assistant Majority Leader. — JMA, GMA Integrated News