MANILA, Philippines — A House resolution declaring vacancy in the fifth district of Negros Occidental following the death of Rep. Ignacio “Iggy” Arroyo Jr. is expected to be filed next week, House leaders said Saturday.

In a text message to the Manila Bulletin, Majority Leader and Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II said the Lower Chamber will file the resolution “as soon as possible.” The resolution from the House of Representatives is needed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) before it could discuss the matter of a special election.

Newly installed Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez said he is ready to lead the filing of such resolution.

But Speaker Feliciano Belmonte expressed reservation on a special election, saying the House leadership is instead eyeing the appointment of a caretaker.

“It is too late because if you file the resolution, it will take few weeks to reach the plenary floor and the Comelec needs two months for the preparations or even more,” he said, citing that the May, 2013 regular elections is quite at hand.

Negros Occidental provincial elections supervisor Jessie Suarez earlier cast doubt on the possibility of calling for a special election on Arroyo’s district, saying that the regular polls are set next year.

Belmonte was quick to explain that he will not prevent his colleagues from filing the resolution, saying that “anybody can file if they want to.”