House re-elected their leaders
24 July 2007- The 14th Congress opened retaining the same leadership when Pangasinan representative Jose de Venecia was voted Speaker of the House by 159 out of the 206 members present during the first plenary session in 23 July. De Venecia is the only representative who headed the chamber five times (9th, 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th Congress). The post was hotly contested by Cebu representative Pablo Garcia. Ironically, it was a fellow Cebu congressman, Antonio Cuenco who nominated for De Venecia.
Prior to the speakership vote, the “opposition” made a manifestation to allow them to vote for their minority leader. This post was later won by San Juan representative Ronaldo Zamora. Under the House Rules, the second highest vote for speakership will automatically be named the minority leader.
In the Senate, re-electionist Senator Manny Villar was likewise elected for another term as Senate president. He got 15 votes against seven of Senator Aquilino Pimentel who was named Minority leader post. Senator Villar first held the position through a term sharing with then Senator Franklin Drilon at the start of the 3rd regular session of the 13th Congress on 24 July 2006. Senator Pia Cayetano nominated Senator Villar and was seconded by Senator Pangilinan.
Senator Antonio Trillanes IV was absent during the session because he is under military detention. Notwithstanding, 18 senators filed a resolution supporting the move to allow Senator Trillanes to post a bail to be able to perform his mandate.
Once-and-future senators?
27 April 2007- Of the 11 senators whose terms end in June, 6 are again throwing their hats into the ring and running for another six-year term in the Senate. The 6 re-electionist candidates are Edgardo Angara Jr., Joker Arroyo, Panfilo Lacson, Francis Pangilinan, Ralph Recto, and Manuel Villar Jr.
Of the 37 senatorial candidates, another 6 are also former senators: Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Gregorio Honasan, Loren Legarda, John Henry Osmeña, Vicente Sotto III, and Anna Dominique Coseteng.
SALN Deadline
30 April 2007– The Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees (RA 6713) requires the filing of statement of assets and liabilities and net worth of public officials. The law also requires government officials to disclose their business interests, financial connections, and relatives in government service.
In 2005, the wealthiest among the legislators are Sen. Mauel Villar Jr. and Rep. Cynthia Villar (Las Piñas lone district) with a combined net worth of P759.8 million (purely assets and zero liabilities). Senator Juan Flavier declared the lowest net worth with P3.4 million while Bayan Muna Representative Joel Virador declared the lowest in the House with P34,500. Rep. Virador’s net worth is even P500 shy of the P35,000 monthly salary of a Senate.
|
