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Arenas, Frasco, Benitez Named New House Deputy Speakers
Photo credit: Congress PH
The House of Representatives has added three lawmakers to its leadership team, naming Pangasinan 3rd District Rep. Maria Rachel J. Arenas, Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco 'Duke' Frasco, and Bacolod City Rep. Alfredo Benitez as new deputy speakers.
The three were elected to the posts during a plenary session on March 18, adding to the roster of deputy speakers who assist in managing the chamber’s legislative work. They will serve under Speaker of the House Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III, who presides over the chamber.
Strengthening House leadership
Deputy speakers play a key role in the House leadership structure. They assist the Speaker in presiding over sessions, facilitating debates on legislation, and coordinating with various blocs and committees to help move measures through the legislative process.
In recent Congresses, the position has also been used to ensure representation from different regions and political blocs in the chamber’s leadership, helping maintain coordination among the House’s more than 300 lawmakers.
With the latest appointments, Arenas, Frasco, and Benitez join several other deputy speakers who help guide the legislative agenda in the chamber.
Who the new deputy speakers are
Rep. Arenas represents the 3rd District of Pangasinan. She previously served as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) from 2017 to 2021 and has also held earlier terms in Congress.
Rep. Frasco, the lawmaker from Cebu’s 5th District, has served in the House since 2019. Before entering Congress, he was mayor and vice mayor of Liloan, Cebu, and has also taken part in the chamber’s leadership roles.
Meanwhile, Benitez, who represents Bacolod City’s lone district, returned to Congress in 2025 after serving as mayor of Bacolod from 2022 to 2025. Prior to that, he represented the 3rd District of Negros Occidental in the House for three terms.
Why the role matters
The House leadership team—headed by the Speaker and supported by deputy speakers—plays a central role in shaping the chamber’s legislative agenda, particularly when Congress tackles major measures such as the national budget, economic reforms, and social programs.
Expanding the leadership roster is also seen as a way to strengthen coordination among lawmakers from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao as the House continues deliberations on key national policies.
The three were elected to the posts during a plenary session on March 18, adding to the roster of deputy speakers who assist in managing the chamber’s legislative work. They will serve under Speaker of the House Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III, who presides over the chamber.
Strengthening House leadership
Deputy speakers play a key role in the House leadership structure. They assist the Speaker in presiding over sessions, facilitating debates on legislation, and coordinating with various blocs and committees to help move measures through the legislative process.
In recent Congresses, the position has also been used to ensure representation from different regions and political blocs in the chamber’s leadership, helping maintain coordination among the House’s more than 300 lawmakers.
With the latest appointments, Arenas, Frasco, and Benitez join several other deputy speakers who help guide the legislative agenda in the chamber.
Who the new deputy speakers are
Rep. Arenas represents the 3rd District of Pangasinan. She previously served as chairperson of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) from 2017 to 2021 and has also held earlier terms in Congress.
Rep. Frasco, the lawmaker from Cebu’s 5th District, has served in the House since 2019. Before entering Congress, he was mayor and vice mayor of Liloan, Cebu, and has also taken part in the chamber’s leadership roles.
Meanwhile, Benitez, who represents Bacolod City’s lone district, returned to Congress in 2025 after serving as mayor of Bacolod from 2022 to 2025. Prior to that, he represented the 3rd District of Negros Occidental in the House for three terms.
Why the role matters
The House leadership team—headed by the Speaker and supported by deputy speakers—plays a central role in shaping the chamber’s legislative agenda, particularly when Congress tackles major measures such as the national budget, economic reforms, and social programs.
Expanding the leadership roster is also seen as a way to strengthen coordination among lawmakers from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao as the House continues deliberations on key national policies.
Mar 18, 2026
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