Three known allies of former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano were removed as Deputy Speakers on Wednesday.
During its plenary session, Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez, and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu were replaced by Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, Buhay Party-list Rep. Jose “Lito” Atienza and Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar.
The House also elected former Batangas Rep. Mark Llandro “Dong” Mendoza as its new Secretary-General, after Atty. Jocelia Bighani Sipin tendered her resignation earlier in the day.
Sipin will assume a new position as Deputy Secretary General to work closely with Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and oversee the affairs of his office.
The legislative chamber also elected Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo as chairman of the Committee on Energy; Caloocan City 1st District Rep. Dale “Along” Malapitan as head of the House contingent to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal; and ACT-CIS Rep. Eric Go Yap as vice-chair of the Committee on Accounts.
It also appointed Speaker Velasco as caretaker of Cebu City’s 1st District in light of the death of Rep. Raul Del Mar.