‘3 Speaker wannabes may form independent bloc’

MANILA, Philippines — There may be two separate small groups other than the House minority bloc and the four-man Davao bloc after three lawmakers who lost the speakership race hinted at forming an independent bloc.

Bacolod City Rep. Albee Benitez said he, along with Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco and Cebu Rep. Vincent Frasco – all critics of Speaker Martin Romualdez – discussed the matter informally during President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address.

“I think congressman Toby is contemplating on that (independent bloc). That’s what we have been discussing,” Benitez said, noting that they have a common cause, which is neither to be in the supermajority coalition nor in the opposition bloc.

“There are only just the three of us, although I’m not also sure who else is involved. This wasn’t really discussed. Although there were certain exchanges of communication, but we never really planned this out,” he added.

Benitez, Frasco and Tiangco on Monday abstained from voting for a speaker, wherein 269 of 314 House members voted for Romualdez.

House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan kept his post as minority leader. — Jose Rodel Clapano