At least two Deputy Speakers have confirmed that Alan Peter Cayetano and Lord Allan Velasco will meet President Rodrigo Duterte at Malacañang on Tuesday regarding the issue on the House speakership.
The PDP-Laban has also verified the reported meeting. “There will be a meeting tomorrow between Reps. Velasco & Cayetano. Rep. Velasco will be accompanied by Party leaders & coalition allies from the HOR,” PDP-Laban Exec. Dir. Ron Munsayac stated.
Malacañang relayed that President Duterte “wishes that the two leaders will honor their words.”
“However, kung wala talagang numero si Cong. Lord Allan Velasco ay wala na pong magagawa ang Presidente (However, if Cong. Lord Allan Velasco does not have the numbers, the President cannot do anything),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.
Velasco posted on his Facebook account to “uphold” the agreement as it was made “for God and our Country.”
“And it is in this period of difficulty that our people yearn for honorable leaders whom they can trust–– Leaders who are able to live up to their promises come hell or high water, Leaders with Palabra de honor who lead not with lip service, but who back up their words with action,” he added.
A House leader has disclosed to PTV that 202 solons have already expressed support to the speakership of Cayetano. Those in majority and minority blocks have both released a manifesto of support to Cayetano.
Deputy Speaker Dan Fernandez shared more may be added on the list which he attributed to the alleged betrayal of Velasco to the camp.
Cayetano ally and Deputy Speaker LRay Villafuerte countered Velasco whom he described as an “absentee congressman and tamad (lazy).”
“In most of the major issues surrounding the House, where was Cong. Velasco? Where was he when we passed the Anti-Terror Law? Where was he during the deliberations on the ABS-CBN franchise? Where was he during the Bayanihan 1 and Bayanihan 2 when Congress worked double-time and overtime to pass the said measures? Where was he in all major issues surrounding the House?” Villafuerte questioned.
Velasco has not yet to react on the statement of Villafuerte. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
