Floirendo ousted as CA member

Floirendo, representative of the PDP-Laban political party to the CA, was replaced by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, who moved to the ruling party from the Nacionalista party. (Photo: Philippine News Agency)

MANILA–Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr. on Monday was removed as member of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA).

Deputy Majority Leader Juan Pablo Bondoc made the announcement during Monday’s plenary session.

Floirendo, representative of the PDP-Laban political party to the CA, was replaced by Isabela Rep. Rodolfo Albano III, who moved to the ruling party from the Nacionalista party.

Meanwhile, Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederick Jalosjos replaced Albano’s post as Nacionalista member to the CA.

Floirendo’s ouster stemmed from his absent vote in the death penalty last March 15.

To recall, the House leadership stripped lawmakers of their juicy posts for voting against the death penalty bill last March 15.

The major House shakeup led to the removal of Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and 11 other committee chairpersons from their leadership posts.

Floirendo is also embroiled in a controversial fallout with his erstwhile bosom buddy, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

The House committee on good government and public accountability and the House committee on justice will conduct a joint hearing on Tuesday on the alleged disadvantageous joint venture agreement (JVA) between the Floirendo-owned Tagum Agricultural Development Co., Inc. (Tadeco) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor).

Alvarez filed House Resolution (HR) No. 867 calling for a congressional inquiry into the grossly disadvantageous BuCor-TADECO land deal.