Lagman resigns as House minority leader
by RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News
January 19, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman has walked away from the acrimonious power struggle with Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez for the top post in the House minority and the opposition Lakas-Kampi-CMD.

In a statement, Lagman cited his differences with other minority lawmakers in his decision.

Lagman and Suarez had been locked in a power struggle, with Suarez asserting the effectivity of a term-sharing agreement with Lagman for the post.

Lagman had insisted the agreement only covered the House speakership.

Under the agreement, Suarez should have taken over this week.

In a statement, Lagman said, “Although Rep. Danilo Suarez has not garnered an incontestable absolute majority of minority members to replace me, I am resigning as Minority Leader to give way to former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s anointed one.”

Suarez is best known as the congressman who bought the presidential party dinner at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse in the US in one presidential visit.

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