New leaders were elected anew in the House of Representatives on Wednesday night as the chamber enters its 2nd month with Speaker Lord Allan Velasco at the helm.
During the plenary session, lawmakers moved to elect Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez as deputy speaker to take the place of Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro. Buhay Party-list Rep. Jose “Lito” Atienza was also elected as deputy speaker, replacing Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez.
Meanwhile, Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar was elected deputy speaker, replacing Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu.
The legislative chamber also elected Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo as chairman of the Committee on Energy; Caloocan City 1st District Rep. Dale “Along” Malapitan as head of the House contingent to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal; and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap as vice-chair of the Committee on Accounts.
It also appointed Speaker Lord Allan Velasco as caretaker of Cebu City’s 1st District in light of the death of Rep. Raul Del Mar.
Velasco’s designation as caretaker was “upon the wishes of the late Rep. Del Mar, as communicated by his family and constituency.”
