The powerful Visayas Bloc Lawmakers headed by Negros Occidental congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez signed a declaration of support for the incoming speaker of the House of Representative Congressman Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez, the chosen lawmaker of Mayor Duterte to lead the Lower House of the Legislative department.
According to Rep. Benitez their declaration of support to PDP-Laban bet Congressman Alvarez was signed by 30 lawmakers from the Visayas Region but Benitez revealed that he aimed for at least 45 lawmakers from the Visayas to support the speakership of Alvarez.
Most members of the Visayas bloc supporting the PDP-Laban bet came from the country’s most dominant political party, the Liberal Party of the Philippines.
Here’s the LP Members who Signed the Declaration of Support:
1. Jerry Treñas
2. Richard Garin – Iloilo
3. Arthur Defensor Jr. – Iloilo
4. Ben Evardone – Eastern Samar
5. Lucy Torres-Gomez – Leyte
6. Rene Relampagos – Bohol
7. Cesar V. Sarmiento – Catanduanes
8. aolo Javier – Antique
9. Gerald Gullas – Cebu
AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin, a sister-in-law of outgoing Health Secretary Janette Garin, also signed the declaration.
Other representatives who signed the declaration were Lucille Nava of Guimaras; Henry Ong of Leyte; Raul Tupas of Iloilo; Melecio Yap and Manuel Sagarbarris of Negros Occidental; Greg Gasataya of Bacolod City, and Arnie Teves of Negros Oriental.
The PDP-Laban lawmaker Rep. Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez had gained more than enough support to win the race for speakership even though his party has only three members in the House of Representatives namely Valenzuela Rep. Eric Martinez, Lanao del Sur Rep. Jun Papandayan and Rep. Bebot Alvarez.