Party-list group wants immediate proclamation

MANILA, Philippines — Insisting it violated no laws, the Bagong Henerasyon party-list in the House of Representatives yesterday called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to proclaim them soonest and lift the suspension the poll body ordered.

Bagong Henerasyon party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera declared that the seven-man poll body should “dismiss” the petition filed against their organization, which should have been done “outright” primarily because the arguments raised have no basis at all.

Herrera said their group will exhaust all legal remedies first with the Comelec before they raise the issue to the Supreme Court.

She said it is “too premature” to seek judicial relief at this point when they have yet to see, much less read, the complaint.

BH, along with Duterte Youth party-list, were among the organizations in the House that protested the Comelec’s decision to exclude them in the proclamation of groups that won in the elections.

“We speak for the 319,803. Let their voices be heard. Without warning and without any prior notice, the Comelec abruptly announced the suspension of our proclamation as a duly elected party-list in the House,” Herrera stressed.

240 House members support Romualdez

Around 240 congressmen have so far signed a manifesto expressing their full support for the continuation of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s stint as House Speaker, Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin confirmed.

“I believe that was a few days after elections. We talked… each of us, members of Lakas. One of my colleagues suggested why don’t we issue a manifesto of support (for Speaker Martin Romualdez),” Garin said in a TV interview.

Garin said the manifesto of support aimed to thank Romualdez “for his leadership and supporting him for whatever plans he has for the 20th Congress.”

Among those reportedly eyeing to replace Romualdez were Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, one of the campaign managers of the administration-backed Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas and Negros Occidental 3rd district Rep. Albee Benitez, chairman of the House committee on housing.

For his part, House deputy majority leader and Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor said Romualdez has the support of all the political parties in Congress.

Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr. also said earlier that the supermajority backed the leadership of Romualdez.