Tuesdav, 5 March 2019
Daity Tribune
4-corner House battle loorns
By Hananeel Bordey
and Ma.io J, ttallari
-{ fierce four-way bat e is
shaping up for the top post at
the House of Representatives.
Lalias-Christian Nf uslim
Democrats (Lakas-ClfD) ores
idenr llartin Bomualdez said
he is eleing the Speakershin
posr in the l8th Congess
as he
connrmed statements made b!
Eugpong ng pagbabalo (Hnp)
As a Malacaflang aily, ii
is my duty to push the
Ie$slative agenda of the
President
Frut t Fge I T(called) the Ejercito provision,"
chairman Davao citv Mavor sara . Victor "JV"
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A
four-way battle is expected
as also reportedly eyeing Wir'
the Speakership are <$,1$
former Foreign Affairs *3t
Secretary Alan Peter {
Cayetano, Marinduque Rep.
Lord Allan Velasco and former
Speaker Davao del Norte Rep.
Pantaleon Alvarez,
'I confirm the statbment of
Mayor Sara that I am interested
in the Speakership race of the
18th Congess,' Bomualdez said
in a text message to media when
asked to comment.
'Many congressmen aspire for
that position. I am humbled and
honored that she (Mayor Sara)
mentioned my name as one of
the contenders,o he added.
Romualdez, who was Leyte
First District representative
from June 2007 to June 2016,
reaffirmed his commitmeirt to the
legislatiYe agenda of President
Bodrigo Duterte.
'As a Malacafrang ally, it is
ny duty io push the l€gislative
agenda of the President. At
the moment, I am working very
hard to ensure my victory in the
coming election,' he said.
Some senators &re pushing
for the re-implementation of
the death penalty only for
convicted drug lords and
other heinous crines,
Cayetano, who is running for
representatiYe of Taguig CW and
uwe would
0n the other hbntl, Velasco Currently, some senat0}s-dre
is the son of retired Supreme pushing for the reimplementauux never go wrong if
pensll'v oolv ru'
Court Senior Associate Justice of tlqlleath we will always side
Presbitero Velasco and has beei -conyicted drug lortls and other with the people and
do what is best for
very visible in EnP sorties for its :. hdinous crimes hvolving illegal
' the people,'vowed
senatoria.l bets. drugs. '\Binay.
Paitido Demokratiko Pilipino In contra$ to his futher and
(PDP) announced last week the haf-brother, gercib has open!
. Livelihood gets
possibility of the ousted AlYarez iupported ths anti-political
focus
to bid for a return to his old post. dynasty. ln faci, he introduced
During the 8th Ghi[g|lyF
However, unlike the other: such provision in the amended
contenders who are runningr Sanggunia,ng lbbataan (SD law. General Assembly uncool cigs a
literally unopposed in their "It may raise some ey€brows, of the LPP held at City.
respective districts, Alvarez is but I'* one of the principal Century P4rk Hotel
facing Gov. Antonio Rd.fael del ou1tror. of ihe SK Electoral'- in Manila, presided over by LPP
hational chaiman Gov. Al [tancis
Rosario in his reelection bid. Del .i Reform law Under this law,
Bichara and National Presideni
Rosario is a candidate of Sara
Dutefie's HnP k Lil;l'i""";"#['J"T:l; Gov. Ryan Luis Singson said
the LPP unanimously approved
S (ctause) will be aPplied,
No excuse for Plulder a resolution supporting the
candidacy irf Villar for a second
Reelectionist Sen JosePh he said.
qiercito is in favor term in the Senate.
Ejercito is also in favor of
Misamis Oriental Gov. Bambi
of imposing the death penaltv imposing term limits to elected
Emano liled the motion citing
to prunderers ir onrv t0 prevent
others rrim committins the
officials, citing there are others
among the 106 million Filipinos
Yillar's advocacy for livelihood
opportunities in the podr areas.
capital offense. who are willing and caPable of
leading the country.
In a speech, Villar thanked
We would neYer go wrong if 'EYen if they are competent,
the governors for their support
will slways side with the and for welcoming her in their
we there must be a limit. There
pcople ard do what is best respective provinces, not only
are 106 million FiliPinos. ManY
for the people. dudng the campaign period, but
haYe abilities. We should give
also in the couKe of her term
chances to every Filipino,' said
as senator.
Ironically, Ejercito's father, qiercilo, who openly expressed
former President and now h.is opiioaition to having him and
Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, That's the essence of the
Jinggoy running in an election.
was convicted of Plunder in culture of politics in our
200? but was pardoned bY Ns Endorsers weig;h il eountry.
successor and now Speaker The reelection bids of
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Senators Cynthia Villar and
Villar also cited the active
participation of LGU, which is
Arroyo also spent time in Nancy Binay were boosted bY
detention after being charged crucial in fast"tracking national
the endorsements by the League
government programs.
with plunder during the Previouq r of Provinces of ihe Philippires
Aquino adminishation. She was ' (LPP) and Makabayan bloc, The Narionalista Party senator
also gare her commihnert to mntinue
acquitted by the Supreme Court respectively.
poviding livethood oppoftunities,
in 2016. Vi ll ar was elated over
Also, Eiercito's half-brother, the support of LPP, which is especiatiln poor mrnmunities.
former Sen, Jinggoy Estrada, is composed of 81 governors
: In addition to almost 2,000
livelihood programs €stablished
also facing plunder charges and 0n the other hand, Binay
all over the country she is looking
is currently out on bail. He is thanked the Makabayang
accused ofpocketing P183 nillion Koalisyon ng MamamaYan for to build processing centers for
bamboo, coconut water, coconut
from the Priority Development choosing her as among the
sugar and dairy products for her
and Assistance ['und (PDA$ nine senatorial candidates it
second term as senator.
dudng his incumbency as senato} endorsed.
In a senatorial forum 011 According to Binay,
Sunday night, 4iercito said hP Dong robbed ofJby
as representatiYes of
favors death penaltY for thosd th€ tr'ilipino people, Senatorial.candidatb and
convicted of plunder to set ail thb moral compass ' Maguindanao ReP. Zqiid "Dong'
example. should always be 'Manguda&itu pointed to Quezo
City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte for
set on what
I Deterrent tg mischief would be ,j
his exclusion from IlnP digital
ult should be finposed so thai display in a campaign sortie last
beneficial to
people thulsday.
no one rviu want to follow those an
who committed Plunder. So, country - r\p1*r,.,flp
that it won't happen again,' said by whic 'PAg€tl
$ercito, who has boen very voc*I' p arty th
in his'tlifferences with Ns fatlrer'l are with.