National Unity Party (NUP) President and Camarines Sur Representative LRay Villafuerte accused House Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco of causing divisions among pro-Marcos coalitions in the House of Representatives.
Villafuerte made this statement after they removed Frasco as a member of the NUP, a member of the supermajority parties in the House.
Frasco’s removal followed his refusal to sign the Manifesto of Support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a statement, Villafuerte said that members of the supermajority in Congress, except for Frasco, still solidly support House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Frasco previously stated that he did not sign the manifesto because their colleagues were disappointed as the promised unity was weakened by personal and political ambitions. However, Villafuerte countered that if there is anyone who is causing discord and disunity, it is Frasco himself.
According to Villafuerte, Frasco seems to be advancing his own selfish personal and partisan interests.
Villafuerte clarified that Frasco was removed as a member of the NUP due to his opposition to the party’s position of supporting Romualdez.
House Deputy Speaker Jay Jay Suarez also clarified that there are already 285 congressmen who have signed the manifesto to support Romualdez’s speakership.
(Frasco and Villafuerte’s page photos)
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.