De Lima replaces Erice as House senior deputy minority leader

Mamamayang Liberal party-list Representative Leila de Lima has replaced Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice as House senior deputy minority leader. 

This developed after the House plenary approved Tuesday the motion put forward by House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan of 4PS party-list to replace Erice.

Libanan’s motion was joined by the majority bloc as manifested by House Deputy Majority Leader Ronald Singson of Ilocos Sur. 

Earlier in the day, Erice criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his allies in the House of Representatives for taking the public for a ride in supposedly making the Anti-Political Dynasty bill a priority.

Erice made the assertion after the House suffrage and electoral reforms panel approved the Anti-Political Dynasty bill which bans relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running or occupying elective office within the same constituency at the same time.

Erice, who is opposed to the committee-approved version of the proposed Anti-Political Dynasty bill, wanted the ban to cover relatives up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity from running or occupying elective office at the same time, regardless of the constituency.

“The President said this measure is a priority.Binola lang kaming Presidente. Alam niya ang ibig sabihin ng political dynasty (The President took us for a ride. He knows the meaning of political dynasty),” Erice said.

“Five congressmen in five districts, 10 mayors in 10 cities — all related. Everybody in public office (is) now relatives,” Erice added. 

De Lima, on the other hand, is a former senator and a first time member of the House.

De Lima is also a former election lawyer, served as an ex-chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration and a Justice Secretary during the President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III’s administration. 

Sought for comment, Erice told GMA News Online that he will deliver a privilege speech tomorrow, March 4.

De Lima, for her part, has yet to comment on the matter. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News