Noy meets with party-list lawmakers

MANILA, Philippines – Thirty-two party-list representatives, accompanied by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., paid a courtesy call on President Aquino in Malacañang yesterday.

Among the party-list lawmakers who met with Aquino were An Waray Rep. Florencio “Bem” Noel, Alagad Rep. Rodante Marcoleta and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Dy.

Belmonte said the objective of the courtesy call was to “break the ice” and allow the lawmakers to meet the president before the re-opening of the 15th Congress this month.

“This meeting was organized just for the President to meet them (party-list solons). We have around 56 party-list members and a lot of them have not met the President yet,” Belmonte said.

“Of course we have to break the ice. It’s been a year since they were elected and have been rendering public service, and virtually all of them are staunch supporters of the President,” he added.

Belmonte said 32 of the 56 party-list representatives were present during the meeting.

“I deemed it a good thing before session starts that the congressmen get to meet and talk with the President,” he said. –Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star)