The Philippine Online Chronicles

House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said he won’t be meddling in the leadership struggle in the minority with Minority Leader Edcel Lagman accusing Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of ordering his ouster and replacement by Rep. Danilo Suarez.

“I will not interfere. It is not right for me to interfere,” Belmonte told media.

Earlier, Palace refused to comment saying they would have to defer to Speaker Belmonte who is “in a better position to answer” the question. Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda did not comment also on the possibility of Lagman transferring to the majority coalition.

Meanwhile, Suarez said that he is just invoking a “term-sharing agreement” they had before Congress started but Lagman asserted that it was only for the speakership post.

Lagman also accused Arroyo of plotting his ouster with Deputy Minority Leader Suarez and other opposition members.

In a statement, Lagman said the other opposition members met at Arroyo’s hospital suite at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC).

“GMA (Mrs. Arroyo’s initials) and her group are trying to convince the Lagman supporters not to honor their signatures,” Lagman said, referring to a resolution earlier signed to give him the Minority Leader post.

Suarez then said, “This leadership issue has long been resolved (through term-sharing)… Ewan ko nga kung bakit nagba-back out si Edcel.”

Numbers

But Lagman said he is not backing out, explaining that he still has the numbers.

“He (Suarez) is counting on the same people who have signed (a resolution) for my retention, and these people have remained steadfast,” Lagman said.

Of the 29 opposition solons, Suarez said he had 19 on his side.

“Even granting that Suarez’s imagined term-sharing of the minority leadership existed, minority members can overturn such an agreement, which is not binding on them,” Lagman said.

He also accused Suarez for being the one who dragged Arroyo into the issue.

“Siya ang sumasama kay presidente, for help. Ginawa pa niyang headquarters yong ospital. It should be Suarez who must stop involving former President Arroyo in his struggle and should not use her hospital suite as his campaign headquarters,” Lagman said.

Suarez said on Friday that he will ask for a vote on the Minority leadership post tomorrow.

According to Philippine Star, other solons think that Lagman may have been “co-opted” by the Aquino administration since he is friends with Presidential Political Affairs Adviser Ronald Llamas.

“If he (Lagman) has the intention, if he so decides to join the majority, I’m sure he would be given a position commensurate to his expertise and experience. He is certainly most welcome,” said House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales.

On the other hand, Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said Lagman “must start as a foot soldier.”

“We (in the majority bloc) worked hard to help the administration and he (Lagman) has not yet proven his loyalty,” he added.

But Gonzales said loyalty is not really “a prerequisite for good legislative work.”