CENTRAL LUZON OBSERVER

Rafael Mariano, the former party list representative of Anakpawis in the 13th Congress, will return the House to replace Rep. Crispin Beltran who died last May 20.

Cherry Clemente, Anakpawis secretary general, confirmed that Mariano is the party list's second nominee and would take Beltran's seat in the House.

Mariano, 51, a native of Nueva Ecija, first became a party list congressman in 2004, together with Beltran when Anakpawis was entitled to two party list House seats. He was then the national chair of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

Election lawyer Romulo Macalintal said there is no need for a special election for Beltran's vacated seat. He said that Anakpawis only needs to file a manifestation before the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on what happened to its original representative and who will replace him. The commission will then issue a resolution naming the new party list representative and this will be presented to the House secretary general.