Marikina City: Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo has been designated acting chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations after Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co stepped down from the post, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed on Tuesday. In a statement, Velasco said Quimbo’s designation adheres to Rule IX, Section 32 of the House rules of the 19th Congress, which outlines provisions on “vacancy and succession” within committees.
According to Philippines News Agency, Velasco stated that in the event of a vacancy in the position of committee chairperson due to death, resignation, permanent disability, or removal, the vacancy shall be filled by the highest-ranking vice chairperson or the member whose name appears next in the committee list. He further explained that the successor performs the duties of the chairperson only until a new chairperson is chosen and assumes office.
“Therefore, the designation of Rep. Stella Quimbo as the acting leader of the House Committee on Appropriations is in compliance with the rules. She is serving as the officer in charge of the committee and will perform the functions of the chairperson in an acting capacity until the House designates a permanent chairperson in accordance with the applicable rules,” Velasco added.
Quimbo, a senior vice-chair of the appropriations committee, emphasized her focus on ensuring continuity in the panel’s operations. ‘Tuloy lang naman po ang functions ng ating committee on appropriations (The functions of the committee on appropriations will continue),’ she commented in an interview. ‘I was advised by the leadership nga na (that) I am to ensure that our committee on appropriations will continue to function as before.’
The Committee on Appropriations holds a significant role in the preparation and review of the national budget by conducting hearings on the budgets of various departments and government agencies.
During Monday’s plenary session, House Speaker Martin Romualdez approved a motion by Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos to declare the position of House appropriations committee chairperson vacant. Co, citing health concerns, stepped down, noting that the demands of the role had affected his well-being.
‘The highly demanding nature of my role has taken its toll, and I now need to prioritize seeking the medical attention necessary for my well-being,’ Co explained. He also highlighted his achievements during his tenure, including initiatives in health, housing, and food security, and the alignment of the national budgets for 2023, 2024, and 2025 with the administration’s eight-point economic agenda.
‘I have always served at the pleasure of the majority. I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with the immense responsibility of steering the nation’s budget in service of the House of the people and the constituents we represent,’ Co stated.
