Four months in service as the House minority floor leader of the 17th Congress, I have been busy doing legislative work, such as filing bills and resolutions which aim to improve our country’s policies. While I am maximizing my position in creating positive change for our nation, it has come to my knowledge that the faction of Rep. Edcel Lagman filed a case before the Supreme Court questioning the manner by which the House Minority Floor Leader was elected.
The minority floor leadership for the 17th Congress has been extensively debated upon and concluded by the members of the House of Representatives. The true and genuine minority group, as recognized by the whole House of Representatives, is composed of 18 members.
Our group has been magnanimous, and we opted to hit the ground running in our legislative work. We have been consistent in extending reconciliatory gestures towards Rep. Lagman et.al—to no avail. Note that the formation of House Committees was delayed due to their group’s insistence on non-binding traditions which contradict clear rules of the House of Representatives. We emphasize “non-binding,” given that the rules were adopted by the House. These rules were not opposed by the Lagman faction when they had the opportunity to do so.
The supermajority already includes the Liberal Party. The core of Lagman et. al., also members of the Liberal Party, is insisting that their faction is entitled to minority leadership. Their intentions in monopolizing House leadership are evident, with LP members already part of the House majority while at the same time aiming for minority leadership. I will not resort to name calling here, but the arrogant and entitled posturing of their faction reveals much about their character.
This group questions our integrity based solely on the fact that some of our advocacies are aligned with the administration. We do not oppose for the mere sake of opposing. We are a constructive minority. We have been consistent with regard to the policies of this administration: when you are right, we will support you, when you are wrong, we will correct you.
We welcome the filing of the petition so that this issue will finally be put to rest. We are confident that, like contemporary actions initiated by their party, this will be exposed as a desperate attempt to stay in power.