MANILA, Philippines — Resigned 1Tahanan Partylist Rep. Nathaniel Oducado said that health, and not politics or his vote for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, was the main reason he resigned from the House of Representatives.
Oducado, alongside Pinoy Workers Partylist Rep. Franz Legazpi, was among the lawmakers who tendered their resignations during the House plenary on Monday.
In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Oducado said that he stepped down to focus on his health and to take care of his family.
He further said that his party was now deliberating on who will be the new nominee to represent the partylist.
1Tahanan counts Oducado, Geraro Joseph Alino, Raul del Prado, Elmer Catulpos, Ymeir Shann Catulpos, Yelcy Catulpos, Alden Bacal, Creseciano Pedrola Jr., Erine Gale Dejecacion, and Reymon Bunag as its nominees.
Elmer Catulpos is the party chairman. He is also the founder of media network Brigada Mass Media Corporation.
Oducado addressed rumors that Catulpos may succeed him.
"These rumors that's also a possibility will just wait for the party decision. But I trust that the party decision namin will be fair," Oducado said.
He further clarified that his resignation was not connected to his vote on the impeachment trial, though Oducado said that some of their supporters in key bailiwicks such as Cebu and Mindanao were "frustrated" by his decision to vote yes.
"We have to stand by difficult positions and it's one of the things na in-accept ko naman (that I accepted) when I decided to run for this [position]," Oducado said.
