From left to right: Bong Santamaria, Manny V. Pangilinan, Vice President Sara Duterte, Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Pearl Viernes, San Pedro Mayor Art Mercado. (Rep. Arroyo's Facebook)
House Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo rubbed elbows on Friday, May 19 with Vice President Sara Duterte. The two high-ranking lady officials met over lunch hosted by business magnate Manny V. Pangilinan. According to a Facebook post from Arroyo Friday night, the lunch was meant to "celebrate the birthdays of Vice-President Sara Duterte, Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, San Pedro Mayor Art Mercado and Mr. Bong Santamaria". Also present was former undersecretary Pearl Viernes. Earlier Friday, Duterte resigned from her post as Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) chairperson. The resignation came at the heels of Arroyo being stripped of her post as senior deputy speaker during the May 19 House plenary session.
Arroyo is Lakas-CMD chairperson emeritus.