House opposition wooing Bayan Muna, allies

MANILA, Philippines - The minority or opposition bloc in the House of Representatives is wooing militant party-list groups led by Bayan Muna and grouped under the Makabayan coalition to join its ranks.

Outgoing minority leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez told a news conference yesterday that he had met with Makabayan representatives on behalf of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, who is eyeing to succeed him.

“I have met with them three times. If you’ve had three meetings, that means the negotiations are serious,” he said.

Bayan Muna and its party-list allies have seven representatives. Former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, who writes a column for The STAR, heads the Makabayan coalition.

Suarez said he told militant party-list lawmakers that if they chose to side with the Romualdez group, “they will be joining a real opposition.”

He said part of the negotiations focused on who gets to sit in what committees as members.

Minority members are not allowed committee chairmanships, which all go to those belonging to the majority.

Suarez said there is still no agreement on whether the militant lawmakers would join the Romualdez group.

“The talks will intensify when Martin arrives next week from his vacation abroad,” he added.

The outgoing minority leader also announced that former Manila mayor and incoming Rep. Lito Atienza of the party-list group Buhay would join the minority.