Roque’s replacement takes oath as new House member

Lawyer Ciriaco Calalang of the Kabayan Partylist on Monday took his oath as the new member of the House of Representatives, replacing former congressman Harry Roque as the party’s representative. (Photo:
Acoy Calalang/Facebook)

MANILA — Lawyer Ciriaco Calalang of the Kabayan Partylist on Monday took his oath as the new member of the House of Representatives, replacing former congressman Harry Roque as the party’s representative.

Roque forfeited his seat in the House by accepting and performing the duties and functions of Presidential Spokesperson.

Calalang is the third nominee of the Kabayan Partylist in the 2016 elections.

Also added to the roll of members of the lower chamber is Anak Mindanao (AMIN) Partylist’s third nominee, Amihilda Sangcopan, who was Anak Mindanao sa Kongreso’s chief of staff from the 12th to 14th Congress.

Last October, former AMIN Partylist Rep. Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman resigned from her post, saying she intends to go back to her “home” and “her people” not as a congresswoman, but “as one of them.”

“This was no easy decision, and perhaps the craziest I’ve done so far. But those who knew me, and knew my soul, have long suspected I was longing to be back home,” Turabin-Hataman said.

Calalang and Hataman took their oath of office before Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia during the first session day of Congress in 2018.