ILOILO City – House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has included Cong. Arthur Defensor Jr. (3rd District, Iloilo) in the team she formed for a smooth transition of leadership in the House of Representatives.
The transition team was formed on July 24, a day after Arroyo took over the speakership from Cong. Pantaleon Alvarez.
Other members of the transition team are Capiz 2nd District’s Cong. Fredenil Castro (National Unity Party), Batangas 2nd District’s Cong. Raneo Abu of the (Nacionalista Party), Marikina 2nd District’s Cong. Miro Quimbo (Liberal Party), and Bohol 3rd District’s Cong. Arthur Yap (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan).
Defensor said the team was formed during a luncheon meeting at Arroyo’s residence in Quezon City.
His inclusion surprised him, said Defensor.
He did not participate in the election for the new House Speaker on the night of July 23. Both Arroyo and Alvarez were close to him, he said.
“On Tuesday I received a call from a congressman friend inviting me to have lunch at the residence of the new House Speaker. I told him it would be awkward because I failed to vote on Monday night. But he insisted I come and said GMA (initials of Arroyo) was expecting me, so I said yes,” said Defensor.
The congressman said Arroyo welcomed him warmly and the transition team was discussed.
Defensor’s father, Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. was a congressman representing the province’s 3rd District in the House when Arroyo was president from 2001 to 2010.
The team’s first order of business was to have a dialogue with Majority Floor Leader Rodolfo Fariñas Sr., said Defensor. The goal was to ensure the smooth management of the House.
Defensor said a revamp of key posts in the House remained to be seen./PN
