spot_img
29.5 C
Philippines
Monday, April 29, 2024

Deputy Speakers: Keeping the House a resolute lawmaking body

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

With 297 congressional seats, the House of Representatives needs several officials with their own duties and powers to keep the institution running. They include the Deputy Speakers, currently made up of 14 honorable men and women from different districts of the Philippines.

It is important to note the role of the Deputy Speakers as the second highest-ranking officials of the House, in making the chamber a resolute body of lawmaking for the Republic. 

Duties and Responsibilities

- Advertisement -

The Deputy Speakers assume the duties and powers of the Speaker when so chosen by a majority vote or by lot among themselves, as the case may be, in cases of absence or temporary incapacity of the Speaker.

This continues until such time that the Speaker returns to office and resumes work; and, in case of resignation, removal, permanent incapacity or death of the Speaker, until such time that a new Speaker is elected and qualified.

They also preside over the session when, even if present, the Speaker does not preside, or has not designated any other Member as temporary presiding officer.

The Deputy Speakers also monitor, coordinate and facilitate action on measures filed, requests, and other concerns of Members representing constituencies to which they may be assigned by the Speaker.

They also recommend to the Speaker appropriate policies, strategies and programs of action to improve the process of legislation and the quality of legislative measures, and to effectively address concerns of Members on matters affecting them, their constituencies, and the overall operations and integrity of the House. 

They also have the power to appoint personnel of the House when so authorized by the Speaker and perform other duties and functions as may be assigned or delegated to them by the Speaker.

In addition, they are tapped to address matters concerning the overall operations and integrity of the House.

In the 17th Congress of the Philippines, as the Duterte administration eyes to shift the government system from a unitary to a federal system of government, the House now has a total of 14 Deputy Speakers, up from the traditional five to six.

The current Deputy Speakers of the House include: 

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez of the 6th District of Negros Occidental; 

Rep. Fredenil Castro of the 2nd District of Capiz; 

Rep. Raneo Abu of the 2nd District of Batangas; 

Rep. Linabelle Villarica of the 4th District of Bulacan;

Rep. Pia Cayetano of Taguig;

Rep. Sharon Garin of the AAMBIS-OWA Partylist;

Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano of the 2nd District of Davao City;

Rep. Munir Arbison of the 2nd District of Sulu;

Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez of the 2nd District of South Cotabato;

Rep. Frederick Abueg of the 2nd District of Palawan.

Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. of the 1st District of Surigao del Sur;

Rep. Arthur Yap of the 3rd District of Bohol;

Rep. Rosemarie Arenas of the 3rd District of Pangasinan;

Rep. Evelina Escudero of the 1st District of Sorsogon;

“‹

“‹

- Advertisement -

LATEST NEWS

Popular Articles