Manila, March 9 -- Malacanang on Sunday (New York time) said Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice's removal as senior deputy minority leader of the House of Representatives was likely due to a lack of support from his own group rather than pressure from the administration.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said no one was to blame for his ouster but him, citing his critical stance toward the government.

"Katulad na sinabi natin, itong si Congressman Erice wala siyang ibang sinisi, lahat sinisi niya maliban sa kanyang sarili. Grupo po niya 'to, ang umayaw sa kanya (As we said, Congressman Erice blames everyone except himself. This was his own group that abandoned him)," Castro told reporters here.

"Maaari po siguro sa kanyang mga paniniwala o sa ...