Marcelino Libanan Elected House Minority Leader
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has officially chosen 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan as its Minority Leader. This decision came after a motion endorsing his leadership went unopposed during the plenary session.
During Tuesday’s session, Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos invited Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice to address the House. With the approval of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Erice announced that all 30 Minority members had unanimously elected Libanan as their leader.
Erice emphasized the qualities that led to Libanan’s selection: “We maintain that the leadership of the Minority should be given to a person who has sufficient experience, a high regard for the dignity of public service, and someone who has no other goal but for the betterment of our institutions and the people.”
He added, “Because of this, all 30 members of the Minority unanimously—no one objected or abstained—our trust and support to a veteran lawmaker, silent and gentle, honest, none other than the representative of the 4Ps party-list, the Honorable Marcelino ‘Nonoy’ Libanan as the Minority Leader.”
Minority Bloc Unites Under Veteran Leadership
Members of the Minority had indicated as early as Monday their intent to rally behind Libanan, who also served as Minority Leader in the 19th Congress. This continuity reflects their confidence in his capability to guide the bloc effectively.
The Minority group includes notable lawmakers such as Rep. Edgar Erice, Philreca party-list Rep. Presley De Jesus, APEC party-list Rep. Sergio Dagooc, 4Ps party-list Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos II, and many others representing various districts and party-lists across the nation.
Among the Minority are representatives from Akbayan, ACT Teachers, Kabataan, Bagong Henerasyon, and other party-lists who chose to abstain from voting for Romualdez as Speaker. While 34 lawmakers abstained, four representatives publicly declared they would not affiliate with either the Majority or the Minority blocs.
Commitment to Constructive Legislative Role
Rep. Erice assured that the Minority will actively participate in vigorous debates and thoughtful discussions on bills and policies during plenary sessions. However, he clarified that the group would avoid becoming obstructionists or hindrances to progress.
This stance suggests a commitment to balanced governance and constructive opposition, aiming to uphold democratic processes while supporting initiatives beneficial to the Filipino people.
For more news and updates on House Minority Leader, visit Filipinokami.com.
