Duterte to meddle only in House leadership issue if asked, Palace says

February 27, 2020

Malacanang reiterated on Thursday President Rodrigo Duterte would not interfere in the leadership issue at the House of Representatives unless he is asked.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made the statement amid the alleged plot to oust Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and to install Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco ahead of a Duterte-brokered term sharing agreement between the two lawmakers.

"The President does not interfere, we've repeatedly said that. That's the internal affair of the Congress, he won't meddle," Panelo said in a press briefing.

"Unless you ask him to settle whatever rift they have, if there is any," he, however, added.

Cayetano earlier claimed that there were moves to remove him as the Speaker by using the issue of ABS-CBN franchise.

The House has been criticized for not yet acting on the bills calling for the renewal of the giant television network's franchise even if it would expire already on March 30.

Asked if Duterte is still happy and satisfied with Cayetano as the Speaker, Panelo said, "He has not complained. I have not heard (from) him any remark."

In a statement, Velasco belied that he was behind the plot to oust Cayetano.

"I am issuing this statement to once and for all end baseless reports attributed to unnamed sources and sly innuendos being peddled by certain camps with vested interests within and outside the halls of Congress on the supposed 'coup plan' to change the leadership of the House of Representatives," he said.

Previously, Duterte brokered the talks between Cayetano and Velasco, both administration allies, to settle the House leadership issue.

They agreed for a term-sharing, with Cayetano getting 15 months and Velasco 21 months as House Speaker.

With such deal, Cayetano is expected to step down as Speaker in favor of Velasco in October this year. Celerina Monte/DMS