Arroyo recently won as representative of the second district of Pampanga. She will assume office in July.
The room is bigger than the usual 60-square-meter room an ordinary congressman would get as office at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City. Arroyo's office has a big anteroom, kitchen, and a spacious comfort room.
Pangasinan congresswoman-elect Gina De Venecia, wife of the former Speaker Jose De Venecia, asked for this room but House leaders rejected her request.
"It's the first time that we have a former president as a member of the House. Maiintindihan naman siguro ng lahat na as a matter of courtesy, we should be giving the president a special room for her especially iba ang security requirement ng former president of the republic," explained Atty. Marilyn Yap, House secretary-general.
Other lawmakers are not bothered by the fact that Arroyo will have a bigger office than other congressmen.
"Let's give it to her. She's going to be our soon to be former president. Courtesy naman. Ibigay na natin sa kaniya iyon. Wala naman sa kuwarto. Nasa performance yun," remarked reelected Malabon congresswoman Jaye Lacson-Noel.
There are 100 incoming congressmen in the upcoming 15th Congress. Yap said they sill lack around 60 rooms for new members as third-termers and older solons were given priority in the room assignments.
Newly-elected Sulu congresswoman Lady Anne Sahidula does not care where her office in Batasan Complex will be. She just wants to decorate it in a way that fits her stature.
"Andun pa rin ang motif na pagka-princess. Ganun din ang room ko sa Sulu na ang office ko ang pinakamaganda and very clean," she said.
Lawmakers are allowed to do makeovers in their rooms as long as the cost will be paid out of their own pockets. --with a report from Anthony Taberna, ANC
No comments:
Post a Comment