Wednesday, April 30, 2008
House elects Pablo Garcia deputy speaker
REP. Pablo Garcia (Cebu, 2nd district) was unanimously elected yesterday as the sixth deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
Garcia was nominated to the post by House Minority Leader Ronaldo Zamora.
Rep. Raul del Mar (Cebu City, north district), himself a deputy speaker, seconded the nomination.
While there are now two Cebuano deputy speakers, this is not an issue, Garcia said.
“Deputy speakers are no longer elected on the basis of geographical location,” Garcia told Sun.Star Cebu in an interview last night.
Although the position entails additional functions, Garcia welcomed the new job. As deputy speaker, Garcia automatically becomes a member of all the committees and has voting power.
“I will be helping the leadership of the House,” he said.
The other five deputy speakers are del Mar, Maguindanao Rep. Simeon Datumanong, Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson, Occidental Mindoro Rep. Ma. Amelita Villarosa, and Camarines Sur Rep. Arnulfo Fuentebella.
Del Mar said in a separate phone interview that “it is good and something to be happy about” that the sixth deputy speaker of the House is from Cebu. But he pointed out that as deputy speaker, one does not represent his district.
According to House rules, deputy speakers assume the duties and powers of the speaker when the latter is absent or temporarily incapacitated, until the speaker returns.
In case of a resignation, removal, permanent incapacity or death, the deputy speaker assumes the post until a new one is elected.
Deputy speakers also monitor, coordinate and facilitate action on measures, requests and other concerns of House members. (JGA/NRC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 30, 2008 issue)
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