Shortlands MP Steve Laore collapsed and died early yesterday at the Pacific Casino Hotel after attending a celebration party.
Mr Philip’s 26-member camp was reduced to 25 with Mr Laore’s sudden passing.
A legal source told the Solomon Star yesterday, Philip got 25 members left so he can serve in the 49-seat house while awaiting a by-election.
The source said if Mr Philip's camp was reduced to 24, then there will be a hang Parliament and a minority government.
“In such situation, Mr Philip will have to resign.
“If he declines, a motion of no confidence could be moved to remove him.”
Spokesman of the Opposition group, Mathew Wale said their group has been sticking together.
But he said they do not want to do anything unnecessary.
"We want the Government to freely do things," he said.
Outgoing prime minister Derek Sikua told AAP the Government has a slim majority so anything can happen.
“We are a strong group united on principles, we will meet again on Friday to discuss what we will do as the opposition.
“I can’t say what went wrong, what made the numbers, what turned it the way they turned out but it can’t be on policy.
“There are people on the other side with a very strong vested interested and direct thing to profit themselves.
“I will not rule out the use of big money to lure the members but it’s the way it goes here,” he said.
“They are not forged together by policy but by money and as long as that’s around they will stick together but once that’s gone so to goes the cohesiveness of the group.
“It’s logging, casino, mining and business that unite these people,” he said.
On foreign policy, didn’t the current PM in the past get sacked when he was found to be courting mainland China and not Taiwan.
“And changing aspects of RAMSI is not easy because they will have to change the legislation,” he said.
“I am feeling relieved actually, looking forward to some rest and to devote time to my family and constituents,” he said.
Losing prime minister candidate Steve Abana told AAP he is satisfied with the democratic outcome of the result but obviously disappointed.
“Our group has been kept together by belief and integrity, it’s the basis of our group’s composition.
“We’ll put this behind us and carry on as the Opposition.
“I will go for opposition leader and this will be discussed at Friday’s meeting,” he said.
“Can’t speculate too much but with the movement of huge money now holding MPs together it’s beyond our reach,” he said.
Prime Minister Danny Philip was not available to comment because he was busy with caucus meeting yesterday.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
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