HOUSE Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said he will assign a caretaker for the 5th District of Negros Occidental following the untimely demise of Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo.

However, Belmonte said, they will no longer propose special election for the said district since there will be elections next year.

In an interview, Belmonte said the House leadership will ensure that the needs of the constituents of Arroyo will be addressed despite his death.

But Belmonte did not give categorical answer when asked if the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) or pork barrel of Arroyo will be released.

Arroyo is among the few opposition solons who have not received their P70 million pork barrel for 2011.

The youngest among the Arroyo brood, Iggy died Thursday night after suffering from cardiac arrest. He went to London last year to seek medical treatment for liver cirrhosis.

According to Belmonte, they will not file any resolution calling for special elections because it is prohibited to have elections 18 months before a regular poll.   Jester P. Manalastas