Cayetano elected House Speaker

July 22, 2019

Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano is elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.

As the Congress opened its 18th session on Monday, Cayetano garnered 266 votes from the 297 lawmakers who are present.

Two lawmakers abstained and one did not vote while 28 voted for Manila Rep. Benny Abante, now the new House Minority leader.

During the voting, Cayetano voted for Abante and Abante voted for him.

Cayetano even joked on how he wanted to vote for Davao City Rep, Paolo Duterte.

In his speech, Cayetano said the House of Representatives, which he calls the "House of the People" is in partner with the Duterte administration.

"President Rodrigo Duterte wants a safe and comfortable and comfortable life for all," he said.

"We are partners in pursuing a better life for all Filipinos whether we talk about teachers, about senior citizens, about young people, about OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers), about professionals, our government workers, workers in the private sector, our out of school youth, rich or people, young or old, of whatever persuasion, of whatever religion, we are all connected and united," he added.

Cayetano urged lawmakers to do what is right.

"People love their congressmen but they love to hate Congress. This is something I ask all of you, in unison let us change that because this is the House of the People. We should respect and love our congressman but we should also feel that the House of Representative is the House of the People," he said.

"We will do what is right so that we will have a Congress that is relevant, responsive and reliable. United we commit to God and our people the work of the 18th Congress," he added.

Cayetano thanked everyone who supported him and pray for the Congress.

"I hope I'll be worthy and you will help me so that for 15 months, we can serve our people well and we can passed all the legislative agenda," he said.

It was reported lawmakers had breakfast around 8 am with Cayetano before they went to the plenary hall to vote for the next Speaker.

Following the suggestion of President Rodrigo Duterte, the House of Representatives leadership will be under "term-sharing" where Cayetano will be the Speaker for the first 15 months while Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco will he for the remaining 21 months and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is the House Majority Leader.  

Compared to last year, lawmakers did not stage a coup and decided in unison to vote for Cayetano.

He will be besides Duterte and Senate President Vicente Sotto III during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) later in the afternoon. Ella Dionisio/DMS