Speaker denies opposition bloc controlled by majority

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao del Norte has dismissed fears that the opposition bloc is controlled by the “Super Majority” in the House of Representatives.

Alvarez made the statement after scathing criticisms from the camp of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman that Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez’s assumption of the House minority leadership on Wednesday paved the way for a sham minority bloc since Suarez’s victory was buoyed by the votes of those who abstained from voting in the Speakership race on Monday.