House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said President Duterte has decided to respect the “vote of confidence” given to him by members of the House of Representatives and said this has put to rest the speakership controversy.
“I welcome the many statements of the President upholding the independence of Congress, and respecting the vote of confidence given by its members to the present leadership and finally putting this controversy to rest,” Cayetano said in a Facebook post on the day he and his sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, visited Duterte in Malacanang.
He added: “And just as he has put his faith in the leadership of the House to do the right thing, we also reaffirm our support for the President and his vision for a free, strong, and prosperous Philippines.”
Earlier, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque declared that he was advised by Duterte not to comment on the speakership issue.
Cayetano made the statement after Roque said the President had said he will stay out of the leadership row in Congress after 184 House members voted to reject Cayetano’s resignation.
“Katatawag lang po sa akin ng Presidente. Sabi po niya, stay out tayo diyan. No comment tayo diyan. That’s purely an internal affair of the House of Representatives. Ibig sabihin ginagalang po ni Presidente ang naging botohan (The President has just called me and said we will stay out of that. We will not comment on it. That’s purely an internal affair of the House of Representatives. That means the President respects the vote),” said Roque.
“Tingin ko po tapos na ang kontrobersya na ito (I think that’s the end of this controversy),” the Palace official added.
Cayetano won a vote of confidence when 184 out of the 299 members of the House rejected his offer to resign Wednesday.
A day before, Duterte called Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Alan Velasco to a meeting to discuss the term sharing agreement for the speakership between the two lawmakers. Also in attendance were congressmen allied to them.
During the meeting, Cayetano agreed to step down as speaker on Oct. 14 to allow Velasco to start his term as House leader for the next 21 months.
However, the incumbent speaker decided to offer his resignation the following day.
With a fresh vote of confidence from his colleagues, Cayetano reiterated his commitment to push for the passage of the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 on time.
Cayetano said he will lead the House to work on the 2021 national budget law.
“We have made a vow to the President and the country that we will craft a budget that Congress can be proud of – one that will put us on solid footing to full recovery. A budget that will be pork-free, without parked funds, and with no corruption. And we will not let them down. We cannot let them down,” he said.
Cayetano, who had earlier committed to have the budget bill on Duterte’s desk in early December so the Chief Executive could sign it before yearend, thanked his colleagues for supporting his continued stewardship of the House.
“I thank all of you who stood up for me and the institution, with all my heart. As far as this Speakership issue is concerned, whatever else happens from this moment on, I am satisfied. I do not crave for anything more, because nothing can surpass the warmth of your approval,” he said.
He also said if the House remains united, it could “do more for every district and for each of our constituents.”
At the same time, the Speaker reminded House members of the daunting task ahead. “It is true that a burden has been lifted – but now more challenges lie ahead. We cannot turn our backs on the crisis facing our nation, we have to remain strong, stay the course, and provide the leadership our people need,” he said.