MANILA – The House leadership will push through with its decision to replace leaders who voted against the death penalty bill.
House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said lawmakers holding key positions who voted against the death penalty will be replaced after Congress resumes session in May.
"Siguro pagbalik na namin from the break," Alvarez said.
(Maybe after we go back from break.)
(Maybe after we go back from break.)
The House is expected to adjourn on Wednesday and will resume work on May 2.
Alvarez said, the House leadership has already asked coalition parties to name their nominees Tuesday.
"Hindi makakalimutan dahil we have asked the respective parties for the nominees for the replacements," he said.
Among those who voted against the death penalty on the third and final reading of the bill are House members holding key positions such as Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and lone Commission on Appointments (CA) member, Occidental Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato.
The final vote for House Bill 4727 came down to 217 voting for the bill, 54 voting against it, and 1 abstention.
Alvarez maintained no one will be spared, even those who skipped the vote. He, however, said they will be reasonable when dealing with the reasons of those who were absent during the vote.
Alvarez said Sato is still going to be covered by the reshuffle despite her appeals.
He also said he has not talked to Arroyo, the most prominent among the lawmakers who voted against the bill.
Despite the impending reshuffle, Alvarez said, he has not yet received information of anyone intending to bolt the majority, even from the Liberal Party.
Alvarez also dismissed observations that the leadership is now suffering from cracks in the majority.
Alvarez added, parties who refuse to name nominees to leadership posts occupied by lawmakers who voted against the bill will have no choice.
"We will declare the seat vacant," he said.
Alvarez also clarified that those who voted against the bill cannot take over the positions of the ousted leaders.
Source : http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/15/17/house-speaker-anti-death-penalty-leaders-replaced-by-may