Two senior administration lawmakers have decried reported attempts to oust Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and foment division in the House of Representatives which is supposed to concentrate efforts in swiftly and effectively addressing the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a privilege speech Tuesday, Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro chided critics of the current House leadership for allegedly sowing intrigue and rumor-mongering against Cayetano’s efforts to unite the chamber.
“You never cared if it would be bad for our people. You always complain na kulang ang pondo at kulang ang puwesto. Hindi ninyo naisip na ang bayan at hindi kayo ang priority ng Congress (that the funds or the positions given you are not enough. You never thought that the priority of Congress is the country, not you),” Castro said.
Castro, chairman of the little-known Committee on Strategic Intelligence, used to be the House Majority Leader but was left out without a role in the current leadership until the new House panel was created.
Cayetano is in a term-sharing agreement with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco in which Cayetano would serve as House Speaker for 15 months, which will end in October, while Velasco will serve the position for the next 22 months until 2022.
Several House members have aired serious apprehensions over the coming change of leadership which could derail the on-going deliberations for the 2021 national budget.
Castro cited the record of Congress under Cayetano’s leadership, including the swift passage of the 2020 national budget and the Bayanihan acts that helped the people at the height of the lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were able to do this because of the leadership of Speaker Cayetano. Never has Congress received such a high trust and approval rating than when Speaker Cayetano was at the helm,” he said.
Interpellating Castro, Deputy Speaker and Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez said he wanted a smooth transition in the House leadership change but lamented the seeming “lack of coordination” on the part of Velasco’s camp.
“Parang mahihirapan po tayo na biglang i-transfer (It will be difficult for us to transfer (the leadership) suddenly). As a matter of fact, Mr. Chairman, a lot of congressmen right now believe that it’s not the right time because the Congress right now, in addressing the problem of COVID-19, is doing good,” Fernandez said.