The Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives of the Philippines are the second highest-ranking officials of the Philippine House of Representatives. During the absence of the House Speaker, one of the House Deputy Speakers will preside over the House of Representatives.
Usually the house just names 6 as deputy speaker, but House Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas said in August that they will increase the numbers to cater to the supposed move to federalism.
The current Deputy Speakers of the House of Representatives are the following:
Eric Singson (PDP-Laban) of the Second District of Ilocos Sur
Mercedes Alvarez (NPC) of the Sixth District of Negros Occidental
Fredenil Castro (NUP) of the Second District of Capiz
Raneo Abu (NP) of the Second District of Batangas
Miro Quimbo (Liberal) of the Second District of Marikina
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Lakas) of the Second District of Pampanga
Gwendolyn Garcia (PDP-Laban) of the Third District of Cebu
Pia Cayetano (Nacionalista) of the Lone District of Taguig
Sharon Garin of the AAMBIS-OWA Partylist
Mylene Garcia-Albano (PDP-Laban) of the Second District of Davao City
Bai Sandra A. Sema (Liberal) of 1st District of Maguindanao
Ferdinand L. Hernandez (NPC) of 2nd District of South Cotabato
Frederick Abueg (Liberal) of 2nd District of Palawan
Rolando Andaya Jr. (PDP-Laban) of 1st District of Camarines Sur
Duties and powers
The duties and powers of the House Deputy Speakers, as contained in the House Rules, are the following:
to assume the duties and powers of the Speaker when so chosen by a majority vote or by lot among themselves, as the case may be, when the Speaker is absent or temporarily incapacitated, until such time that the Speaker returns to the performance of his/her duties; and, in case of resignation, removal, permanent incapacity or death of the Speaker, until such time that a new Speaker is elected and qualified;
to preside over the session when, even if present, the Speaker does not preside, or has not designated any other member as temporary presiding officer as provided in Section 14(h) of Rule IV;
to monitor, coordinate and facilitate action on measures filed, requests, and other concerns of members representing constituencies in any of the island groups namely Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, to which they may be assigned by the Speaker;
to recommend to the Speaker appropriate policies, strategies and programs of action to improve the pace and quality of legislation and to effectively address issues and concerns of members on matters affecting them, their constituencies, and the overall operations and integrity of the House;
to appoint personnel of the House when so authorized by the Speaker; and
to perform such other duties and functions as may be assigned and/or delegated by the Speaker.
Note: Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines was previously called Speaker Pro-Tempore of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. The title was used until 1995.
