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Duterte endorses Cayetanc
termsharingwi hVelasco
By JovEE MARIE N. DEt"^Cld.Uzt @jol'eemafie
RESIDENT Duterte has endorsed
the bid of Taguig Rep. Alan Peter
L Cayetano
Cavetano for thee speakership, in
speaKersnlp,ln
a term-sharing arrangement with his
strongest rival, Marinduque Rep. Lord
Allan Velasco.
The third of the strongest candi-
dates for the top post ofthe House
of Representatives, Leyte Rep.
Martin G. Romualdez, will serve
as majority floor leader in the sup-
posed set-up.
"I tried to distance myself from
the fspeakership] butl said it's time
that I talk. So that's the setup," the
President saidin his speech during
the oath-taking of new government
of f icials in Malacaiangon Monday.
This will be the first time that
the House of Representatives will
have a term-sharing setup as pro-
posed by a President.
Lawmakers earlier reiected term
sharing, saying "it is not going to be
healthy for the chamber." They also
said a change in the House leader-
ship entails changes in committee
chairmanships and this could dis-
rupt committeehearings, including
those related to thenationalbudget.
In an interview on the sidelines
BusinessMirror
told theml, Ifyouwant to change
LI
the Constitution, do it now while
I'm still here," he said.
Vows
CAYETANO pledged to make the
House of Representatives the "Con-
gress of the people.'"
"1'dlike to start outby thanking
the Lotd Father Jesus for giving us
strength and wisdom. We pray to
.the Lordto give the President good
health andwisdom," said Cayetano
in a Facebook video.
of the oath-taking, Duterte said He also committed to address
he endorsed Cayetano because the price increases, providejobs, and a
Taguig lawmaker was the first con- safe and cor.nfortable life for Filipi
'
tenderwho soughthis endorsement. nos through legislation.
"I am iust trying to end the im- "[I will also push for a] better
passe. Nobody was sure to [vote] relationship between House and
forwhom. [I didn't see the need] to Senate, House and Judieiary, and
intrude but consideting what hap- House and Malacaffang. It will be
penedin thelastfewdays, andwith a challenge but we are up to the
the session startiag in a few days, challenge," Cayetano added.
it's time for me to talk," he said. Cayetano urged his fellow law-
Cayetano was the President's makers to unite and join the "Die-
runningmate in the 2016 national hard Duterte Super Majority" or
elections and former secretary of DDSM.
the Department of ForeignAf f airs. "To all congressmen. please join
He is from the Nacionalista Party the Die-hardDuterte Super Major-
while Velasco is from Duterte's ity. The DDSM has lome to town.
party, PDP-Laban. We're going to shovi;'that it's not
Inhis speech, the President also only President Duterte who has thc
asked the next leaders of the lower political will but also the House of
chamber to prioritize theproposed Representatives," he added.
Charter change, whic.h he deemed
as his first request. Terms ofSpeaker
"We have to change the Consti- SALVADOR S. PANELO, chief presF
tution, whetber federalorwhatnot. dentiallegal counselandpresidential
PAe AL
spokesman,saidCayetanow
occupy the Speaker post.
"lt'sAIan Cayetano as the
er in the first 15 months, tl
next 21 months, the Speali
be LordAllan Velasco, with.
Romualdez ai the majorit
leader," Panelo said.
According to Panelo, th
candidates for the spea}
sought the assistance and
the President to settle the (
among them.
"Sincethe electionof the
er has resulted in abitter ar
tious rivalry that threat€
break-up of political alli
President, to save the unit'
alliance and avert its frag
tion, obliged to the reques
three candidates, who tr
credit agreed to respect th(
of PRRD," he said.
Five lawmakers are vy
the speakership namely, Ca
Velasco, Romualdez, Dav
Rep. IsidroUngabandBaya
Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate
The President's son ant
CityRep. Paolo Duterteha!
out of the race and suPPot
bid ofUngab, who is from H
ng Pagbabago, the partyfou
Davao City Mayor Sara Du
The 18th Congress will,
and elect the next Speaker
22, on the same day the P:
will deliver his fourth Stat
Nation Address.