The Liberal Party members who abstained from voting for Speaker, together with others who likewise abstained, constitute the legitimate minority consistent with House Rules and recent jurisprudence.

However, the Magnificent 7 opposition group will remain firmly and fiercely intact irrespective of the outcome of the contest for institutional minority leadership in the wake of the change of command in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Edcel C. Lagman of Albay, Rep. Tomasito S. Villarin of Akbayan, Rep. Edgardo R. Erice of Caloocan City, Rep. Gary C. Alejano, Sr. of Magdalo, Rep. Teddy B. Baguilat, Jr. of Ifugao, Rep. Raul A. Daza of Northern Samar and Emmanuel A. Billones of Capiz compose the Magnificent 7.

It has been the authentic minority bloc in the House since the start of the 17thCongress.

It provides credible, critical and responsible opposition to the Duterte administration and the congressional majority.

The speakership may have changed but the unqualified support of the majority for Duterte’s agenda on charter change, disregard of human rights, violent anti-illegal drugs campaign, appeasement of China in the West Philippine Sea, and unresponsive and flawed economic polices, among others, remain the same.

EDCEL C. LAGMAN