MANILA — Former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday replaced Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Arroyo took her oath as the new Speaker, minutes before the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address.
The former Chief Executive was seen taking over the rostrum, minutes before Alvarez was seen welcoming Duterte at the House.
Arroyo is the first female to assume the speakership post.
Duterte’s allies said the ouster move against Alvarez has the support of the President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who earlier had a spat with Alvarez.
The squabble between Alvarez and Duterte-Carpio began last February, when the former called the latter part of the opposition after she formed the regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago. (Filane Mikee Cervantes/PNA)