LP defers decision on leaving House majority after death penalty vote

The Liberal Party (LP) is going to solidify its position on whether to stay or leave the supermajority in the House of Representatives until after the second reading vote on the death penalty bill. (Photo: House of Representatives of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA—The Liberal Party (LP) is going to solidify its position on whether to stay or leave the supermajority in the House of Representatives until after the second reading vote on the death penalty bill.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said this was the agreement of LP members during its caucus following the major reorganization in the Senate, wherein LP senators were ousted from leadership posts and committee chairmanships.

“After the vote on the death penalty bill, the party is going to solidify and crystallize a solid position,” Lagman said.

Lagman said the LP is taking a stand against the revival of the death penalty, but its members are allowed to exercise a conscience vote.

This means LP members who will vote in favor of the death penalty bill will not face sanctions, he added.

“The official position of the party — the party is against death penalty but it is giving its members a conscience vote,” Lagman said.

Lagman said some LP members holding committee chairmanships are likely willing to relinquish their posts rather than vote for the death penalty restoration.

He named partymates who would be willing to be stripped off of key posts include Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao chairing the People Participation Committee; Batanes Rep. Henedina Abad chairing the Government Reorganization Committee; and Occidental Mindoro Rep. Josephine Ramirez-Sato, member of the Commission on Appointments.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier said that House leaders who will not support the administration’s priority measure will be plucked out from their posts.