House of Representatives embattled Speaker J. Fonati Koffa has termed a comment from Vice President Jeremiah Koung on his negotiation with the Majority Bloc as twisted lies and distortions.
Vice President Koung on Sunday, December 15, 2025 on SPOON online said the embattled speaker attempted to negotiate with the Majority Bloc of the House and requested it to agree on three key issues including lifting the suspensions placed on a few representatives from his bloc, assigning some of his bloc representatives to committees, and allowing him to preside over the session as he officially transfers authority to Deputy Speaker Fallah.
But embattled Speaker Koffa in a Facebook post said at no time did he negotiate with the vice president nor the president to resign. “My position is, and has always been, let’s return to legislative normalcy by 1) removing the illegal suspensions 2) restoring the rightful committee head 3) returning to chambers and discussing all matters including their complaints in session,” he said.
Koffa said it was VP Koung that asked for white ballot for Richard Koon, passage of the budget, and discussion of committee after a new speaker but he rejected the entire request from the Vice President.
“We came to no agreement, and the next day, the minister of justice gave his opinion on the court ruling, which was written for him. But the most telling thing is that the Vice President’s appearance and inappropriate comments on a radio talk show exposed his hand as the principal mastermind of the whole unconstitutional saga,” Koffa noted.
The embattled Speaker said he remains firm on the side of the law and the executive can continue to ignore the rule of law, but I will not waver.
By Tonita N. Copson