The speaker of the national

Title

Language

English

Year

1939

Subject

Philippines. Congress. House of Representatives

Speaker

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

The Speaker of the National Assembly IN 1907 when Secretary of War Taft opened the first Philippine Assembly, he declared that the speaker of that body was the officer second in rank to the Chief Executive. Speaker Sergio Osmena was thus considered as the first Filipino of the land. His powers, both legal and extra-legal, were extensive. All employees of the Assembly and its committees were appointed by him. He Vas the elect of the elect. In 1916 when the Philippine Senate was organized, the office of Senate President threatened to overshadow that of the Speaker. With the Sen ate’s power to approve appointments, its President possessed greater legal powers than the Speaker. The latter, however, as the head of the majority party, was still his political superior. That division of political and legal headships could not be maintained for long. So a clash eventually took place between Quezon, the Senate President and therefore the legal superior, and Osmena, the Speaker and the political head. Quezon emerged victorious aft er the 1922 elections. Upon his bid ding Manuel Roxas, then a young politician, was selected Speaker of the House of Representatives. At last the Senate President became legally and politically the head of the Filipino participation in the government. Roxas February, 1939 65 became the mere head of the lower house of the Legislature; but within it, be exercised vast powers, even if at times he bad to appeal to Quezon to keep his position against rebellious members. In 1933, he lost the support of President Quezon and so he lost the Speakership, which was handed over to Quintin Paredes. An able law yer and a clever political leader, Pare des soon developed prestige and in fluence of his own. The establishment of the Common wealth in 1935, with its single-cham bered National Assembly, brought into prominence the question of the Speak er’s position. President Quezon ex pressed the opinion that the Speaker should have no special political power but should be a mere presiding officer. Paredes differed with him, believing that a Speaker should be the leader of the Assembly. Philippine tradition and American practice supported Paredes’ stand. But President Quezon’s view prevailed, thus introducing the English practice under which the Speaker acts as a mere chairman and ceremonial head of the House of Commons. Gil Montilla, a colorless sort of Assembly member, was chosen Speaker. Muci/ of the real power was wielded by the majority floor-leader who was Jose E. Romero of Negros Oriental. With the election of the second Na tional Assembly in 1938, the vast powers of the Speaker may be resur rected. Jose Yulo, former Secretary of Justice and a trusted adviser of Pres ident Quezon, is now the Speakers Without any legislative experience to speak of, Yulo is known nevertheless as a capable and hard-working indi vidual. Paredes was chosen floor leader. The Assembly is completely dominated by one single party. Yulo and Paredes were once law^ partners. Paredes was at one time also a Secretary of Justice. Many be lieve that they make a good team. A local picture very much worth your while— GALA PREMIERE — FOX — February 11 66 Panorama

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