If speakership term-sharing won’t push through, it’s not reflection of Duterte’s lout, Palace says

July 11, 2019

Malacanang said on Thursday if his backed-term-sharing agreement in the House speakership would not be realized, it should not be considered as a reflection of his leadership. 

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo's statement came amid reports quoting Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte that the issue on Speaker was yet from over.

The presidential son reportedly said that one of the three aspirants for speakership was planning a coup d'etat when Congress opens on July 22.

"No, it’snot a reflection of the clout of the President. Because the President didn’t want to interfere in the first, didn’t wanna intrude. It’s them who somehow persuaded him to come in," Panelo said.

Duterte earlier announced that there would be a term-sharing deal on the speakership.

This was reached after meeting with Taguig City Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who agreed to be the Speaker during the first 15 months of the 18th Congress and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco to assume the post for the remaining 21 months. Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez would be the House Floor Majority Leader.

Despite the President's approval of the sharing of term, Panelo said ultimately it would be up to the members of the House who they would vote for the speakership.

"The only reason why the President gave that suggestion is because those or vying for it went to him and sought his wise suggestion to settle the row between and among them," he said. Celerina Monte/DMS