By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano defended his vote for Manila sixth district Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. as house speaker yesterday by saying he is currently in position to become deputy minority leader and, as leader of the Partylist Coalition, he is hoping to be appointed to the post, which is ultimately approved by the house speaker.
The house deputy minority leader serves on all congressional committees.
Paduano is the only legislator from Negros Occidental to vote for Abante.
Taguig-Pateros lone district Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano won the race for house speaker with 266 voting in favor of Cayetano and 28 backing Abante.
Cayetano will be “sharing” the term with Marinduque lone district Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco with the latter taking the gavel after 15 months./DGB, WDJ