Quimbo named acting chairperson of House appropriations panel

Marikina Representative Stella Quimbo will serve as the acting chairperson of the House appropriations panel as provided by the rules of the House of Representatives, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Thursday.

Velasco referred to Rule 9 of the House Rules which states that in case of vacancy in the position of committee chairperson by reason of death, resignation, permanent disability or removal, "the vacancy will be filled by the highest ranking vice-chairperson or the member whose name appears next to the name of the chairperson in the list of committee members will automatically assume the duties of the chairperson until such time that a new chairperson is chosen and assumes office."

Quimbo is the lone senior vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations.

"Senior vice chairperson Quimbo is the acting House appropriations panel chairperson. There's no need for a plenary motion [to be adopted] because she's number two [in the committee ranking]," Velasco said.

The House of Representatives on Monday vacated the position of chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations, formerly occupied by Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Co said he stepped down as House appropriations panel chairperson due to “health reasons”.

Prior to Co's announcement, the House plenary adopted the motion put forward by House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos.—RF, GMA Integrated News