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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romero relieved as deputy speaker 

Romero relieved as deputy speaker 

Published Oct 2, 2020 06:48 pm

Deputy Speaker and 1Pacman Partylist Rep. Michael L. Romero was relieved from his post Friday, Oct. 2, as Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano fired the first shot in declaring an open war against Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and his allies in the House of Representatives.

1PACMAN partylist Rep. Michael “Mikee” Romero (Mikee Romero blogspot / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)


Cayetano’s move was seen by Velasco’s camp not only as a mere direct affront to the Marinduque lawmaker but indirectly to President Duterte who asked the speaker and Velasco to honor the 15-21 term sharing agreement for the speakership on October 14.

AAMBIS-OWA Rep. Sharon Garin believes she will be the next to be purged. She is the chairperson of the House Committee on Economic Affairs.

Romero will be replaced by Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro who delivered two privilege speeches justifying Cayetano’s continued stay as speaker.

Castro was a former majority leader who was unceremoniously booted out as president of the National Unity Party when his name surfaced as a contender for the speaker before the 18th Congress opened last year.

Castro changed political allegiance and decided to join Lakas-CMD party now headed by Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

A few months before being asked to takeover Romero’s position, Castro was assigned to head the newly-created Committee on Strategic Intelligence.

“This committee was created to accommodate Castro who had demonstrated his loyalty to Romualdez, and later the person who caused his near political downfall, Speaker Cayetano,” said former Hosue member who requested anonymity.

Romero was part of the team that accompalnied Velasco to the Malacanang caucus called by Duterte on Tuesday.   He is president of the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc., the second largest political group in the Lower Hosue.

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