Palace optimistic Arroyo to support Duterte’s priority agenda

July 26, 2018

Malacanang expressed optimism on Thursday that former President and now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would support the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte's priority agenda.

In a statement, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the Palace looks forward to Arroyos' successful leadership in Congress.

"The Palace is eager and ready to work with the new House leadership as we are confident that Speaker Arroyo would put her considerable skills and experience behind PRRD's (Duterte) agenda," he said.

"We look forward to Speaker Arroyo's successful leadership in Congress, and through that, pushing the President's priority legislation in the Lower House," Roque added.

In a press briefing in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay, Roque said Malacanang welcomes Arroyo's statement that her topmost priority like Duterte is Charter change.

He denied the Palace was behind Arroyo's return to power as what was accused by opposition and detained Senator Leila de Lima.

"Well again, I commiserate with Leila de Lima, it must be difficult staring at the four walls of her prison cell, so I will let her be. But I’d like to state that the choice of Speaker was made by the members of the House alone and I challenge any congressman to publicly say that the President called them to vote for a particular candidate because the President did not do that. The President did not interfere, this was purely a decision of the members of the House of Representatives," he said.

Arroyo assumed the speakership after the controversial ouster of Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez on Monday.

Roque thanked Alvarez for his invaluable services to the nation. Celerina Monte/DMS