Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong – Photo courtesy of Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the recent leadership changes in several House committees were not connected to the impeachment votes against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Adiong said the reshuffle in committee posts was part of routine congressional adjustments and should not be seen as political punishment.
He made the clarification after speculation that lawmakers who opposed the impeachment complaint were stripped of key committee positions.
The changes affected panels including the House appropriations committee and the special committee on Southern Tagalog development.
Southern Leyte Rep. Roger Mercado and Agusan del Norte Rep. Dale Corvera were removed as vice chairpersons of the appropriations panel.
Laguna Rep. Ramil Hernandez was also replaced as chair of the Southern Tagalog development committee, with Laguna Rep. Loreto Amante taking over.
Adiong said committee leadership assignments were based on party allocation, with political blocs deciding who sits in various House panels.
He added that the issue only became controversial because of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
Reports earlier said Mercado and Hernandez had shifted political affiliations, although party records showed differing listings in past elections.
Adiong, who also serves as impeachment prosecution panel spokesperson, earlier said most of his party backed the move to impeach the vice president.