Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (left), Speaker Martin Romualdez (Facebook, Speaker’s office)

Deputy Speaker and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's name is conspicuously absent from the list of authors of House Resolution (HR) No.1414, which essentially defends the House of Representatives from the recent attacks on its integrity. 

The measure--adopted during plenary session Monday, Nov.6--also served as a loud reiteration of support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who has also been subjected to these attacks, particularly from former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

Out of the eight deputy speakers and lone senior deputy speaker in the House of Representatives, only Arroyo and Deputy Speaker Davao City 3rd district Rep. Isidro Ungab didn't back the resolution on paper. 

Among the signatories were Deputy Speakers Batangas 6th district Rep. Ralph Recto, Antipolo 1st district Rep. Roberto Puno, Las Pinas lone district Rep. Camille Villar, Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, TUCP Party-list Rep. Raymond Mendoza, Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Frasco; and Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. 

The resolution is titled "Upholding the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives and expressing appreciation, solidarity, and support to the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez".  

When sought for comment about Arroyo's apparent snub of HR No.1414, her staff member told House reporters, "Former President and now Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is out of the country However, as she always said, she continue to support the leadership of Speaker Romualdez." 

CLICK HERE:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/6/solons-ok-resolution-to-defend-house-support-romualdez

Arroyo and Romualdez both belong to the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party. She is the party's chairperson emeritus, while he is the party president. 

Meanwhile, Ungab has yet to respond to queries in connection with HR No.1414 as of this posting. 

Ungab was a staunch ally of his fellow Mindanaoan Duterte during the latter's Palace term from 2016 to 2022.

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https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/12/arroyo-confirms-bong-go-s-account-of-duterte-meeting

Arroyo, Pampanga's 2nd district congresswoman, served as chief executive from 2001 to 2010. She is also an ex-House Speaker. 

In May of this year, Arroyo was linked to an alleged "leaked coup plot" against Romualdez. Following this, she was relegated to deputy speaker from her original position as senior deputy speaker.  

She has denied any part in the supposed plan to unseat Romualdez.