PRRD hands-offin House term-sharing issue -- Panelo
8y GII'IAtYN D. KABlLll,lG
embers of the House
of Representatives,
not President Duterte,
would make the ulti-
mate decision on.the selection of
their speaker, Malacafrang declared
Monday in the wake of reports a
term- sharing arrangement might
be derailed.
Presidential spokesman Salvador
Panelo said the President would not
meddle in the House affairs, includ-
ing the term-sharing plan between
Taguig Rep. Alan Petei Cayetano
and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan
Velasco.
((As
far as the President is con-
cerned, he does not want to interfere
in any act or measure or activity in a
co-equal branch," he said duringa
news conference at the Palace.
He explained that the term-shar-
ing arrangement between Cayetano
and Velasco was a mere suggestion
from the President after some law-
makers sought his guidance.
"The only reasonwhy he made a
proposal is because his suggestion
was sought by tbose contending
peisons for the speakership," he
said. '(Natapos na iyong papel ni
Presidente doon eh [The President's
role has endedl," he added.
He insisted that it was now up to
the lawmakers to choose their own
leader. ('Again that is between the
members of Congress. We will not
inteffere, " he added.
Cayetano recently claimed that
it wds up to President Duterte if
would lead the House beyond the
15 months he was given under a
term-sharing deal with Velasco. He
said he would follow the Prbsident's
instructions on the matter.
Cavite Rep. Elpidio'Barzaga Jr.
earlier reportedly said such ar-
rangemenf could be set aside given
Cayetano's soaring public trust and
approval ratings. I
Last July, President Duterte in
efforts to help end the infighting in
the speakership race proposed that I
he Cayetano serve as speaker in the first
15 months while velasco will take '
over for the next 21 months.
Duterte ddmitted that he en-
dorsed cayetano because the Taguig
congressman was the first contender
who sought his endorsement. CaY-
etano served as Foreign Affairs
secretary after he lost in the vice
presidential race in 2016.
He denied that he was interfering
with the affairs of congress, saying
he was only endorsing leaders and
not meddling in their legislative
work.
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