MANILA -- Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casino has advised the likely House Speaker, Representative Feliciano "Sonny" Belmonte (Fourth district, Quezon City), to be careful in assigning committee chairmanships to the members of the majority party and its allies.
“Although Cong. Belmnote has our vote, we are very critical dito sa lumalabas na hatian sa committee chairmanship...Nagpaabot na kami ng apprehension na wag namang gawin chairman yung mga balimbing," Casino said.
The incoming House leader should be wary of the latecomers who have joined the Liberal Party (LP) especially those of the Lakas-Kampi, the party of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Casino said the LP should look into the track record and performance of the congressman before assigning it to a House committee.
Traditionally, committee chairmanships are not given to neophyte lawmakers and the most crucial ones, like the Committee on Appropriations, are assigned to members of the majority party. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)