Tañada drops out of speakership race

Quezon Rep. Lorenzo Tañada III has dropped out from the speakership race, thus, leaving Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. the lone Liberal Party candidate for the top post in the House of Representatives.

This developed as Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, also a candidate for speaker under the Lakas-Kampi-CMD, said that the Arroyo-backed party will also decide “very soon” who will be fielded as challenger to Belmonte.

Appearing at the Usaping Balita News Forum in Quezon City, Tañada disclosed that he already informed his LP partymates of his decision to support Belmonte’s speakership bid during a party caucus on Wednesday night, May 19, 2010.

However, Tañada is expected to challenge Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II should LP’s Belmonte become the House leader.

In the same media forum, Lagman said the LKC speakership candidate will anchor his argument for the top post on two considerations: popular mandate and constitutional prescription.

Lagman said the party won the most number of seats in the Lower House.  He added that an LKC speaker will guarantee “checks and balances” between the executive and legislative branches of government.

Source: Mb