Minority Lawmakers Join Key House Committees Early
MANILA, Philippines — Minority lawmakers, including human rights lawyer and Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, have secured positions in critical House of Representatives committees early this session. Their appointments mark a significant development in legislative oversight and human rights advocacy.
Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan moved to elect these lawmakers to various panels during Wednesday’s session. This early committee placement allows them to influence discussions on public accountability and human rights.
Key Committee Assignments for Minority Lawmakers
Rep. Chel Diokno will serve on the committee on public accounts, committee on dangerous drugs, committee on public order and safety, and the committee on human rights. These four form the influential quad committee, tasked with overseeing major national concerns.
Other Minority members assigned include:
- Committee on appointments: LPGMA party-list Rep. Allan Ty
- Committee on public accounts: Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Niko Raul Daza, 4K party-list Rep. Iris Marie Montes, Sagip party-list Rep. Paolo Henry Marcoleta, and Diokno
- Committee on dangerous drugs: Diokno, Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co, GP party-list Rep. Jan Rurik Padiernos, Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Elijah San Fernando, and Marcoleta
- Committee on public order and safety: Ty, Agap party-list Rep. Nicanor Briones, Co, Diokno, Akbayan party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula, Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon
- Committee on human rights: Diokno, Co, Padiernos, Ridon
Reestablished Quad Committee Expands Scope
This quad committee was officially reestablished with the passage of House Resolution No. 106 on Tuesday. Previously, it investigated illegal operations linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo), illicit drug trade, and human rights abuses during the past administration’s drug war.
Co-chairman Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante revealed the committee plans to broaden its investigations. It may now include cases like the disappearance of “sabungeros” (cockfighters), reflecting a wider mandate to address pressing social issues.
Majority Leader Elects Committee Chairs
Meanwhile, Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos appointed several lawmakers as chairpersons of standing and special committees. These include:
- Marikina 1st District Rep. Marcelino Teodoro (people’s participation)
- Ako Ilocano Ako party-list Rep. Richelle Singson (welfare of children)
- Baguio City Rep. Mauricio Domogan (bases conversion)
- Abamin party-list Rep. Maximo Rodriguez Jr. (East ASEAN growth area)
Marcos also named vice chairpersons and members for the Majority, signaling the committees’ full organization. However, some standing committees remain without chairs, such as those on indigenous cultural committees and indigenous people, senior citizens, and suffrage and electoral reforms.
These early committee elections highlight the House’s readiness to tackle urgent matters involving public accounts, human rights, and safety. Minority lawmakers, especially Rep. Diokno, are positioned to play vital roles in shaping legislative oversight.
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