Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo on Wednesday clarified he was not axed from his position as vice chair of the House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations.
“Before we get drowned in speculations as to why I was removed from my post as vice chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, please let me clarify that I did not get the axe. I personally asked Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco that I be relieved,” Arroyo said in a statement.
Arroyo, a deputy majority leader, said it was his “personal request” to Velasco to be relieved of the post that tackles the national government budget, among other budgetary measures.
He said he already has too many responsibilities, being also the chairman of the chamber’s energy panel.
“Actually, I already made my intention to be relieved of my duties as Appropriations vice chairman known to him when I assumed the chairmanship of the Energy Committee. Being the Deputy Majority Leader also, I was expecting to have my plate full with the new responsibility bestowed upon me,” Arroyo explained.
He said he “was doing the institution a great injustice with my failure to attend to my responsibilities as vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee and that there are other members of the House who are qualified to take over the post I am to vacate.”
He stressed his decision to give up vice chairmanship of the House appropriations committee should “never be considered a personal attack against me.”
Arroyo’s removal as vice chair of the appropriations committee came after
Zamboanga Sibugay Rep. Wilter Palma and Quezon City Rep. Anthony Peter Crisologo were replaced from their respective posts last week.
Palma, who was later elected vice chairman of the House legislative franchises committee, was replaced by Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor as deputy majority leader, while Crisologo’s post as assistant majority leader was declared vacant.
Palma’s legislative franchises committee vice chairmanship was vacated by Anakalusugan Rep. Michael Defensor, while Crisologo was elected vice chairman of the chamber’s games and amusement committee.
