Bicol lawmaker foresees realignments in Congress

When Congress resumes its session on July 25, there will be a realignment of political forces in the House and even in the Senate, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte said House members, in particular, will have to state clearly and categorically who among them "have shifted or intend to transfer to the political opposition or will choose to become independent."

He said these congressmen will no longer be considered members of the majority coalition in the House.

"Some may not leave the political party where they belong but will expressly align themselves in their individual capacities to the majority coalition," he said.

"But those who shall leave the administration coalition regardless of whether they align with the opposition parties or become independent are expected to lose their chairmanships of or membership in committees, to the extent that they obtained such positions as part of the coalition of the majority," he added.

Thus, Villafuerte said those who no longer believe in staying with the parties supporting the administration of President Arroyo has "to make their position clear."

"This is not the time for straddling, flip-flopping or fence-sitting. Particularly for those who have questioned the legitimacy of the (Arroyo) administration or expressed skepticism on her ability to govern, they should now make an unequivocal stand," he said.

Villafuerte said he concurs with the policy statement articulated by House Majority Floor Leader Prospero Nograles that the political renegades in the House should voluntarily resign from their positions out of delicadeza.