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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Alvarez wants Cayetano to still lord it over the House

Alvarez wants Cayetano to still lord it over the House

Published Sep 23, 2020 06:36 pm

If former speaker and incumbent Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez will have his way, he will allow Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to continue leading the House of Representatives not because the incumbent is doing a better job than what is expected of his possible successor, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez
(TOTO LOZANO / Presidential Photo / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

In an interview over a government media station, Alvarez said he had been against a term-sharing of the top House position right from the start, saying the move will only instigate division among lawmakers.

Alvarez had failed to complete the three-year term as speaker of the 17th Congress when he was unseated in a coup that saw former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo being catapulted back to political power as House speaker.

“Hindi ako sang-ayon doon sa term sharing kasi (I do not favor term-sharing because) I remember this is not about the speakership, this is about the country,” he said.

The term-sharing agreement for the speakership position was brokered by President Duterte last year in a bid to prevent the possible splitting up of political parties comprising the majority bloc allied with his administration.

Alvarez said that although he is a partymate of Velasco, he has decided not to take sides. He remains consistent in his view that Cayetano should continue leading the chamber.

Asked to comment on Cayetano’s performance, Alvarez said: “Wag na lang ako mag-kumento baka may masabi pa ako na hindi maganda. (I better not make a comment because I might say something that is not good).

He also refused to talk about Velasco.

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