Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (Contributed photo)

It appears that Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 2nd district Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has already put the alleged House leadership squabble behind her.

The former president, wearing bright orange co-ords with matching handbag, was intercepted by a handful of reporters Tuesday, May 23 after stepping out of a hearing of the House Committee on Basid Education.

But when they began asking questions about the leadership, Arroyo--smiling and seemingly in a good mood, on top of her glowing aura--threw her hands up in the air and said, "I've already given my statement, that's enough."

The astute politician would repeat this until the scribes got the message that she just wasn't talking anymore.

(Contributed photo)

Just a day earlier, Arroyo joined the oathtaking of newly-minted Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., in plenary.

Gonzales was the one who succeeded Arroyo as senior deputy speaker after she was removed from the lofty post last May 17. But all seems well between the two, with Gonzales even giving the former chief executive a hug atop the rostrum on Monday.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez was obviously there Monday also, being the one who administered Gonzales' oath as senior deputy speaker. Before the simple ceremony, Romualdez approached Arroyo's table on the plenary floor to show her respect to lady solon via "pagmamano".

Romualdez did so despite whispers that Arroyo was plotting to oust him as House head honcho.

As for the statement that Arroyo mentioned to reporters, this was most likely her May 18 press release wherein she addressed the alleged coup plot on her Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party-mate, Romualdez.

"When I learned that there were reports that I was suspected of plotting a 'coup' against Speaker Romualdez, I decided I must speak out to clarify my political position," she said.

it should be noted that being Speaker once more is no longer part of my political objectives. This has been my position ever since Speaker Romualdez was elected in the 19th Congress, and I continue ot urge my Lakas-CMD," Arroyo added.

Later Tuesday, Arroyo and Romualdez were together in another activity--the oathtaking of 19 new Lakas-CMD members.