The House minority bloc is poised to reach at least 30 members in the 20th Congress, with several lawmakers throwing their support behind 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan to retain his post as minority leader.
ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima on Monday confirmed the growing support during an interview with reporters. “Last July 3, we were there in a meeting and we have expressed support for Congressman Nonoy Libanan as minority leader. I understand that the member of the minority bloc is not less than 30,” she said in a GMA News Online report.
De Lima stressed that their bloc would remain vigilant and proactive in scrutinizing government policies, adding, “We will be fiscalizers… but we are not going to be obstructionist.”
As the Marcos administration enters the second half of its term, de Lima noted that “there’s now a smaller to zero margin of error” and vowed a stricter monitoring of its legislative performance. “The Marcos administration, during the first three years, were given some leeway… But for the last three years, we will be stricter,” she said.
Explaining their endorsement, de Lima said Libanan’s previous leadership as minority leader earned him their confidence. “We are new here in the House, and we want to see how he leads as the minority leader,” she added.
De Lima also revealed she had submitted requests to join 20 House committees, saying she initially listed 12 but increased the number after learning there was no limit. However, she declined to confirm whether she was offered any leadership post in the bloc.
Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno echoed the support for Libanan, saying, “We want to push for legislation that will address the needs of ordinary people, and the place for that is really the House Minority.” He emphasized that the group is also committed to demanding accountability from the administration.
In addition to de Lima and Diokno, others backing Libanan’s leadership include Akbayan Reps. Perci Cendaña and Dadah Ismula, Dinagat Islands Rep. Arlene Bag-ao, Bukidnon 3rd District Rep. Audrey Zubiri, Kabataan Rep. Renee Louise Co, Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Niko Raul Daza, Eastern Samar Rep. Christopher Sheen Gonzales, Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Roberto Gerard Nazal Jr., Kamanggagawa Rep. Elijah San Fernando, Galing sa Puso Rep. Jan Rurik Padiernos, Malasakit at Bayanihan Rep. Mary Girlie Veloso, Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice, Albay 1st District Rep. Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro, Quezon City 4th District Rep. Jesus Suntay, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, Leyte 4th District Rep. Richard Gomez, Samar 1st District Rep. Stephen James Tan, Samar 2nd District Rep. Reynolds Michael Tan, LPGMA Rep. Allan Ty, APEC Rep. Sergio Dagooc, PHILRECA Rep. Presley De Jesus, Pusong Pinoy Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay, and 4Ps Rep. Jonathan Clement Abalos II.
Meanwhile, both De Lima and Diokno said they are hopeful that the minority bloc will reach a unified position on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“I believe there already is a unified stand,” Diokno said, calling it a chance to show the public that they are serious about accountability.
De Lima agreed, but clarified that any official stand must go through consensus. “If there is no consensus, then probably there would be voting on those matters,” she said.
De Lima also defended the House’s position, saying the Senate cannot impose further demands once the Articles of Impeachment have already been transmitted. “It’s not proper. In fact, I consider it violative of the Constitution,” she said.
She emphasized that the House, including the prosecution panel, should be extremely cautious in dealing with Senate directives related to the impeachment.
Asked whether the Senate could dismiss the impeachment case by a simple majority vote, De Lima responded that the prosecution panel would take legal action to challenge any premature dismissal before trial.
Diokno added that the House is expected to comply with the Senate impeachment court’s second directive—to confirm its continued interest in pursuing the case—once the 20th Congress opens session on July 28.
