Marikina Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo | PHOTO: Official Facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines
MANILA, Philippines — Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo will be the acting chairperson of the House of Representatives committee on appropriations, Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Tuesday.
During an interview at the Batasang Pambansa complex, Velasco was asked if the meeting between him and Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday night was about the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Article continues after this advertisementVelasco said the issue was not discussed; instead, their meeting focused on managing the appropriations panel after the chairperson’s post was declared vacant.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO ‘Show of force’: 1.8M join INC peace rally NEWSINFO House appropriations panel head steps down NEWSINFO Acop: What do you need 20 guns for?“Hindi, hindi kami nagusap ni Speaker tungkol dito (impeachment). Pinagusapan namin ‘yong change sa appropriations […] I think, si senior vice-chair, si Congresswoman Stella Quimbo,” Velasco said.
(No, the Speaker and I did not talk about the impeachment. We talked about the change in the appropriations panel […] I think it will be senior vice-chair, Congresswoman Stella Quimbo.)
Article continues after this advertisement“Of course, of course,” Velasco replied when asked if Quimbo had accepted this role. “She’s member number two, so that means in terms of seniority. Pero acting lang ‘yon (But that’s only in an acting capacity), because if you want, if the House would like to have a chairman, then it has to be presented to the plenary for approval.”
Article continues after this advertisementDuring the resumption of Congress’ session on Monday, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos moved to declare the post of the appropriations panel chairperson — previously held by Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co — vacant.
Article continues after this advertisementRomualdez approved the said motion.
jvs88 slotREAD: Rep. Co removed from House appropriations post; replacement pending
Article continues after this advertisementWhen the position was declared vacant, no reason was given by any member of the House leadership on why Co was removed from his post. Eventually, Co released a statement saying that he stepped down from his role due to health concerns.
According to Co, he needed to prioritize seeking medical attention for a health issue that he did not disclose.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the majority in Congress for graciously accepting my decision to step down as Chairman of the House committee on appropriations. This decision, made with a heavy heart, is driven by pressing health concerns. The highly demanding nature of my role has taken its toll, and I now need to prioritize seeking the medical attention necessary for my well-being,” he said.
“I have always served at the pleasure of the Majority. I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with the immense responsibility of steering the nation’s budget in service of the House of the people and the constituents we represent,” he added.
Co has been a key ally of the House leadership, participating in several programs initiated by the Speaker and other key members of the legislative body. On December 12, Co joined Romualdez and his wife, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, at a Christmas party for children at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC).
READ: Zero billing for kids currently admitted at PCMC – Romualdez
Co is also seen as one of the architects of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program, a one-time cash assistance provided for qualified middle-income or near-poor individuals.
Observers have criticized the program for its alleged vulnerability to political manipulation, but Co argued it cannot be influenced as it is implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
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