Deputy Speaker Len Alonte. For many who may not understand the dynamics of how the Philippines’ legislative branch work, the title bestowed to the representative from Biñan City, Laguna may sound like just honorific.
But as Alonte admits, the title of Deputy Speaker entails bigger duties than simply enacting laws or presiding over congressional committees.
“Actually, kapag Deputy Speaker ka, dagdag lang iyan sa trabaho,” Alonte, who had served as Biñan City mayor prior to being elected as the city’s first representative to Congress, said in an interview with OpinYon Laguna.
A Deputy Speaker, she explained, serves as a “representative” of the House Speaker in his absence and takes over his duties such as presiding over sessions and other occasions.
“Ang maganda sa Deputy Speaker, you can participate sa lahat ng committees – you can vote, unlike noong Deputy Majority Leader ako, kailangan pa akong i-deputize para makaboto ako,” Alonte added.
Alonte was elected deputy House Speaker by her fellow representatives last March 25, 2021, but she did not officially take her oath until January this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Nahiya kasi ako na ito ang uunahin ko yung oath-taking ko habang may pandemic. Saka for posterity reasons na lang iyon, at mas marami pa ang kailangan kong intindihin,” was how she explained the delay.
More opportunities
Alonte said her being chosen as Deputy Speaker has opened up additional opportunities for her to enable to craft legislation not only for Biñanenses but also for all Filipinos as well.
“Dati, limited lang ang scope ko – bibigyan ka ng top three committees na gusto mong hawakan, and doon pipiliin kung isasama ka bilang member o chairperson,” she said. (She is currently the vice chairperson of the House Sustainable Development Goals Committee and a member of the House Creative Industry and Performing Arts Committee.)
However, with her election as Deputy Speaker, she is now automatically a member of all committees in the House of Representatives, giving her more power and leeway to craft legislation, she added.
“Now, mas nakakapag-participate ka na, napapatawag mo na yung mga resource persons na gusto mong makuha tungkol sa mga programs ng legislation.”
Power of the purse
Being elected Deputy Speaker has also enabled Alonte to channel more funds into the city’s Local Government Support Fund (LGSF), which, according to city officials, will translate into better services for Biñanenses.
As Mayor Arman Dimaguila himself said during a recent Project Tour of Biñan City’s major infrastructure projects, the funds allocated by Rep. Alonte will enable the city government to purchase quality equipment and supplies for the new Ospital ng Biñan (OsBin) complex in Barangay Canlalay.
Through her “Alagang Len” branding, Rep. Alonte has also brought closer several government services to Biñanenses, including health programs for women and the youth as well as assistance to those who were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the solon is quick to emphasize that more than these programs, her job as a legislator has helped her empower certain sectors of Biñanenses through passing laws aimed at their welfare.
“Ang hindi nila nakikita is yung 'Alagang Len' as a person, as a whole, na hindi naman laging may pondong kaakibat. Halimbawa, nae-empower mo yung mga kababaihan, nae-empower mo yung LGBT community, nae-empower mo yung mga solo parent na hindi naman laging pondo yung pinag-uusapan kundi yung tulong na naibibigay mo."
Cooperation
Like Mayor Dimaguila, Rep. Alonte stressed on the importance of collaboration and cooperation between local officials to enable the city government to push through its major programs.
“Sa ibang districts, hindi magkakasundo yung mga mayor at congressman, so hindi nila ginagawa iyan,” she related. “Ang nakita kong secret rito sa Biñan, naniniwala ako na kung ang gusto ni Mayor, para sa Biñan, ang gusto ni Vice Mayor, para sa Biñan, bakit pa tayo magso-solo pa? Ang importante naman kasi ay umangat ang Biñan City, hindi naman tayo. Kaya madali naman sa akin na ipaubaya yung pondo sa kanila.”
Having also served as Biñan’s local executive from 2007 and 2016 (and as municipal councilor from 1998 to 2004 and vice mayor from 2004 to 2007), Alonte also said she believes that local officials should have a sense of “pagbibigayan” in order for them to reach their goals for the city.
“Naniniwala kasi ako na si Mayor ang mas dapat magdesisyon para sa bayan, kasi siya ang ‘Ama ng Bayan,’” she explained.
These sentiments were shared by her brother, Biñan City Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, who told OpinYon Laguna that what he admired most from his sister is her “dedication” to public service in the years she served as mayor and congresswoman.
“Kung anuman ang ginagawa at meron ako ngayon ay inspirasyon ko siya pagdating sa paglilingkod,” he related.
“Ang pinakagusto kong katangian ni Ate ay yung kabutihan ng kanyang puso – bukas sa lahat ng tao pagdating sa pagtulong sa mga Biñanenseng nangangailangan… Deserve niya kung anuman ang kanyang mga achievements na nakamit, dahil nakikita ko ang dedication at puso niya sa paglilingkod.”