THE House of Representatives on Wednesday elected Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez as new deputy speakers.
Atienza, Villar and Rufus will replace Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu.
Atienza said they will seek “to help provide avenues for economic progress for the nation and for the individual Filipinos. We will do everything we can using all the experiences we have in helping the Speaker with his vision of giving Filipinos a better life.”
Rodriguez felt “humbled by the trust and privilege to serve as Deputy Speaker of the 18th Congress.”
Caloocan Rep. Dale Malapitan was elected to replace Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo as head of the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal; Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo now chairs the Energy committee which Speaker Lord AlLan Velasco earlier chaired.
Former Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro Mendoza is the new Secretary-General of the House with Jocelia Bighani Sipin’s resignation.
Meanwhile, Rep. Xavier Jesus Romualdo said upon the wishes of the late Rep. Raul del Mar, as communicated by his family and constituency, Speaker Velasco is designated the new caretaker of the 1st District of Cebu City.
