Manila, June 27 -- A reelected lawmaker at the House of Representatives on Thursday appealed to leaders of political parties to free their members from rigid party stand in choosing the Speaker for the 18th Congress, stressing that lawmakers need to cast their "conscience vote" to elect a House leader who is truly representative of the people.
"I am appealing to all leaders of political parties: let democracy reign in the House of Representatives and give us the freedom to choose our own Speaker," Bulacan Rep. Rida Robes said.
"We have to allow the congressmen to cast their conscience vote if we are to elect a House leader who is truly representative of the Filipino people's will," she added.
Robes, who is a member of the ruling PDP-Laba...