Sandro Marcos Takes House Majority Leader Role
Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos has been chosen as the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives. Lawmakers elected him during the opening session of the 20th Congress’ first regular meeting on Monday.
The selection of Sandro Marcos to lead the majority was announced by acting floor leader and Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez confirmed the motion without objections. Marcos replaces former Zamboanga Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe, the previous Majority Leader during the 19th Congress.
New Deputy Speakers Join House Leadership
Alongside Marcos, Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez was elected as senior deputy speaker, filling the vacancy left by former Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. Both Dalipe and Gonzales reached their term limits and could not run again.
Additional deputy speakers were also appointed, including Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin, Lanao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Yasser Alonto Balindong, La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V, and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jefferson Khonghun. Other deputies elected were Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Kristine Singson Meehan, Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno, Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino Dy III, Iloilo 4th District Rep. Ferjenel Biron, and TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza.
Romualdez Secures Speakership
Before these leadership decisions, Romualdez was re-elected House speaker with 269 votes. Suarez nominated him, supported by lawmakers including Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga, Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno, Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano, and TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza.
Challenges Ahead for House Leadership
Despite their strong positions, Romualdez, Suarez, and Marcos face the challenge of uniting support for the administration’s legislative agenda. The minority bloc in the House has grown, with at least seven lawmakers joining it. This group includes Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco; Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco; Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez; Davao Reps. Isidro Ungab, Paolo Duterte, Omar Vincent Duterte; and PPP party-list Rep. Harold James Duterte.
Local leaders noted that this shift reflects the dynamic nature of the current congressional landscape, signaling a tougher road ahead for the majority in pushing their priorities.
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