Three 'Young Guns' Promoted to Key Positions in House

From left to right: La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V, Quezon 2nd district Rep. David 'Jay-Jay' Suarez, and Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun (PPAB).

Three members of the Young Guns clique--Quezon 2nd district Rep. David 'Jay-Jay' Suarez, La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V, and Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun--have been given bigger, more prestigious tasks in the 20th Congress.

From being one of eight deputy speakers during the 19th Congress, Suarez is now the senior deputy speaker. Meanwhile, Ortega and Khonghun--a deputy majority leader and assistant majority leader in the previous Congress, respectively--were also both 'promoted' to deputy speaker.

These moves were affirmed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez in plenary Monday morning, July 28 during the opening of the first regular session of the 20th Congress.

The Young Guns earned their stripes in the previous Congress by playing an active role in both legislation and in inquiries on matters of national importance. Speaking of which, they starred in the widely-watched investigations of the House quad-committee, tri-committee, quinta-committee, and good government panel, just to name a few.

Also named as deputy speakers in the current Congress were Janette Garin (Iloilo, 1st district), Yasser Alonto Balindong (Lanao del Sur, 2nd district), Kristine Singson-Meehan (Ilocos Sur, 2nd district), Ronaldo Puno (Antipolo City, 1st district), Faustino Dy III (Isabela, 6th district), Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo, 4th district), and Raymond Democrito Mendoza (TUCP party list).

Aside from Ortega and Khonghun, Garin, Puno, Dy, and Biron were first-time deputy speakers. The lower chamber also reelected Reginald Velasco as secretary general, and retired Police Maj. Gen. Napoleon Taas as sergeant-at-arms.