Sara key to speakership
Credit to Author: GLEE JALEA| Date: Mon, 27 May 2019 16:18:12 +0000
Duterte threatens to resign if Paolo runs for top House post
An endorsement from Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio will likely seal the deal for legislators wanting to become the next speaker of the House of Representatives, given talk that she could succeed her father President Rodrigo Duterte.
”[T]hey are looking at her as possible contender in 2022, that’s one,” incumbent House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez said in a television interview on Monday.
“Plus the fact that she’s a very nice person, she speaks from her heart. Kung may gustong sabihin, hinidi nagpapaliguy-ligoy (if she wants to say something, she goes straight to the point),” he added.
Those said to be interested in the top House post include lawmakers that she reportedly earlier endorsed, a former political ally who wants to mend fences, and possibly her brother, incoming Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
The younger Duterte, however, denied this on Monday, while the President threatened to resign if his son ran for speaker.
Duterte-Carpio was said to be instrumental in last year’s ouster of former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who, as Davao del Norte congressman, has expressed interest in regaining the top House post.
Still looking to reconcile
Alvarez’s overtures were rejected last week, with Sara calling him “very dangerous and Machiavellian,” but the legislator said he would continue to reach out.
“Oh yes, why not?” he replied when asked.
“Maraming humahanga sa kanya sa House of Representatives. Malaki ang respeto. So,kung sino ang sasabihin niya na gusto niyang maging speaker eh magbabago lahat ‘yan (Many in the House look up to her. They have a lot of respect for her. So, if she endorses anyone it will change everything),” he added.
Duterte-Carpio earlier called Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco her bet for the speakership over other aspirants such as Alvarez, former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Leyte
Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, San Juan Rep. Ronaldo Zamora, Cavite representatives Alex Advincula and Abraham Tolentino, Malabon Rep. Ricky Sandoval, Leyte Rep. Lucy Torres Gomez, and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales.
Last week, she said she only had “a personal bet” and was not out “to influence Congress.”
As it stands, said Suarez, the race had narrowed down to Velasco and Romualdez, who Duterte-Carpio denied having endorsed despite claims by Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero Pichay.
Her criticism of Cayetano for allegedly making a “veiled threat” about the consequences of endorsing Velasco could also “somewhat influence the thinking of undecided House members,” Suarez added.
Alvarez also denied Duterte-Carpio’s allegation that he wanted to “humiliate” her, following his reelection.
“Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ‘yun kasi masyado akong nag-iingat eh… Very unlikely na sinabi ko iyon… ’pag nasabi ko man ‘yun, wala akong karapatang tumakbong speaker (I do not know where that came from because I am very careful… it’s very unlikely that I said that… if I did, I have no right to run for speaker.),” Alvarez said.
Suarez previously said Romualdez had already gained the support of at least 126 House members, including him and other members of the minority bloc.
He also remarked that Paolo Duterte running for the speakership would be a breach of delicadeza or propriety since his father was already the President.
‘I will resign’
The President agreed, telling newly appointed government officials that it would “not be a good sight.”
“Paolo, I am telling you now, if you run for [the] speakership, let me know. If you will run I will resign because we are already a lot… Let the people choose who they want,” he said.
“So, if you will insist, [if] he does not listen to me… Let me know three days in advance before you make the announcement and I will tender my resignation,” Duterte added.
The younger Duterte denied that he was after the top House post.
“I did not say I want to be speaker. Someone whispered false information to your ear, Mr. President,” he posted on Facebook.
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan President Sen. Aquilino Pimentel 3rd said the ruling party aimed to retain the speakership via three candidates: Alvarez, its secretary general; Gonzales, national deputy campaign manager; and Velasco, a strong ally of the Dutertes.
Romualdez on Monday appealed to his fellow lawmakers to set politics aside by signing a covenant declaring their commitment to support Duterte’s priority bills.
WITH RALPH U. VILLANUEVA
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