THE leadership of Speaker Martin G. Romualdez has downsized the number of deputy speakers helping the flow of sessions to nine from more than 30 during the previous 18th Congress.

This is after the election on Wednesday of representatives Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga’s third district, Ralph Recto of Batangas’ sixth district, and Vincent Frasco of Cebu’s fifth district.

Gonzales expressed his deep gratitude to the Speaker and House members.

“I thank Speaker Romualdez and my colleagues for the great honor they have given me, my district, and the entire province of Pampanga. I am thankful as well to Congressman Sandro Marcos for nominating me,” he said.

Gonzales served as a deputy speaker in the last Congress. He later chaired the Committee on Bases Conversion.

He has filed several bills and resolutions, including Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, which seeks to convert Congress into a constituent assembly to propose certain amendments to the Constitution that would be submitted to the people for their approval.

Among his proposals are to give the President and Vice President a term of five years, with an option to seek one reelection, and for the two officials to be elected as “one team” or ticket, provided they belong to the same political party.

Under the present Charter, the President is limited to one six-year term, while the Vice President also has six years with an option for one reelection.

Gonzales is also suggesting that House members and local officials be given a term of five years with one reelection instead of the present three years with two reelections.

Among his local bills is House Bill (HB) No. 182, which seeks the creation of Barangay Pulung Bulu in the City of San Fernando.

The enactment of the bill would entitle the barangay to its share of internal revenue allotment (IRA), the newly elected deputy speaker said.

He said San Fernando City had P781,445,584 in IRA in 2020, while its local income amounted to P1.145 billion.

“If the 2020 IRA was divided equally among the 35 barangays, including Pulung Bulu, each would have received an average of P22.3 million. That’s a big amount to develop a barangay community,” he added.

The House referred the bill to the committee on local government on Tuesday.

Also, on Wednesday, the House elected several committee chairpersons and members led by Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers as chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, now representative of Pampanga, was elected senior deputy speaker.

The other 19th Congress’ deputy speakers are Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar, Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, Antipolo City Rep. Roberto Puno, and Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza.