Solon: Cayetano allies ‘overbearing’
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Thu, 18 Jul 2019 09:10:41 +0000
CAYETANO
Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano’s reign as speaker may not last 15 months as agreed upon with term-sharing partner, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, unless close allies he appointed to manage the ongoing House of Representatives re-organization “shed off some of their overbearing character,” a veteran lawmaker warned yesterday.
The solon, who requested anonymity, made this observation even as speculations of an early rejection of Cayetano speakership continued to sizzle less than a week before the next House leader is chosen via election among congressmen.
“This early, the reorganization team appointed by Cayetano started to turn off a number of lawmakers. Their domineering attitude unravels their dictatorial tendencies,” the senior administration lawmaker said. The source added: “They act more like dictators, they look like agents of a dictator.”
Cayetano’s decision to appoint a House deputy speaker for internal affairs and for finance has been one of the moves that has been preventing an end to factionalism in the chamber. The former Foreign Affairs Secretary has pinpointed comebacking Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali Gonzales III to occupy the internal affairs post while Camarines Sur Rep. El-ray Villafuerte will take the finance position.
“To my mind it’s an act of ganging up on Romualdez, the choice for majority leader, to try and paralyze him from doing his job. Romualdez cannot move freely with Gonzales watching his every move,” the source said.
Romualdez was recommended by President Duterte to become the House majority leader.
The anti-Cayetano sentiment pervading among supporters of Velasco and Romualdez has strengthened speculations of an abbreviated reign for Duterte’s choice for speaker.
During a recent thanksgiving party hosted by Romualdez, two of his closest allies declared they will nominate the Leyte solon for speaker when the 18th Congress opens Monday. With 167 congressmen allegedly signing a manifesto of support for a Romualdez speakership, there is a strong likelihood he can win the speakership election, if conducted. (Ben Rosario)