TACLOBAN CITY – 4Ps Party-list Representative Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan has been unanimously elected as minority leader of the House of Representatives for the 20th Congress.
Libanan secured the support of 29 other minority members during a caucus held on Monday, July 28, officially solidifying his leadership of the 30-member bloc. He also served in the same role during the 19th Congress.
The nomination of Libanan was made by Rep. Leila de Lima (Mamayang Liberal) and seconded by Reps. Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd District), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), Presley De Jesus (PHILRECA), Jonathan Clement Abalos II (4Ps), and Nicanor Briones (AGAP).
The following members of the minority bloc voted in favor of Libanan’s leadership: Edgar Erice (Caloocan, 2nd district), Presley De Jesus (PHILRECA), Sergio Dagooc (APEC), Jonathan Clement Abalos II (4Ps), Stephen James Tan (Samar, 1st district), Leila De Lima (Mamayang Liberal), Percival Cendaña (Akbayan), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), Jesus Suntay (Quezon City, 4th district), Christopher “Sheen” Gonzales (Eastern Samar, Lone District), Jose Manuel Diokno (Akbayan), Renee Louise Co (Kabataan), Roberto Gerard Nazal Jr. (Bagong Henerasyon),Jernie Jett Nisay (Pusong Pinoy), Niko Raul Daza (Northern Samar, 1st District), Allan Ty (LPGMA), Cielo Krisel Lagman-Luistro (Albay, 1st district), Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro), Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands, lone district), Dadah Kiram Ismula (Akbayan), Elijah San Fernando (Kamanggagawa), Jan Rurik Padiernos (Galing sa Puso), Florabel Yatco (Nanay), Arlyn Ayon (Swerte), Nicanor Briones (AGAP), Audrey Zubiri (Bukidnon, 3rd district),Reynolds Michael Tan (Samar, 2nd district), Rachel Marguerite Del Mar (Cebu City, 1st district)and Paolo Henry Marcoleta (SAGIP).
A lawyer by profession, Libanan previously served three terms as the representative of Eastern Samar’s lone district, where he chaired the House Committee on Justice and later became the Majority Leader of the Commission on Appointments. He also served as Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Libanan’s election signals continuity in leadership for the minority bloc, which is expected to provide constructive oversight and policy input within the Lower House.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
