Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo's firm position on the allocation and use of the contentious confidential funds, particularly for the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, may put her in dire straits as the clamor has been growing to sanction her as a member of the once-ruling Liberal Party.

Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, the LP's president, said on Saturday the move to sanction Quimbo was unanimously reached by the party, with some district representatives bristling over her defense of the contentious confidential funds, which is "contrary to the collective position" of the LP leadership.

LP forming consensus

The calls were made "although it has to be noted that she later conceded that the utilization and audit of secret funds must be made more transparent and the officials made more accountable," Lagman told House reporters in a Viber message.

The veteran lawmaker, however, stressed that the LP has yet to reach a consensus on the proposal and that Quimbo remains a party member.

"The enduring tradition of the Liberal Party is to allow its members to take independent views on national issues in recognition of a member's freedom of expression and dissent," Lagman said.