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MANILA, Philippines – President Alan Peter Cayetano predicted Wednesday that Marinduque representative Lord Allan Velasco would not have enough votes to secure the speaker’s seat.
In his speech before his fellow legislators, Cayetano pointed out that, according to the Constitution, a candidate must obtain a majority of the votes among the members of the House to be elected president.
According to the Constitution, a majority of all members is required to be elected President. Then I can step aside. But I cannot guarantee that he (Velasco) will be elected, ”Cayetano said.
“In fact, I will make an intrepid forecast: he will not win. Or if I step aside, he will win after a week, it will be a hit. Why? Many are popular in Congress, ”he added.
(In fact, I’ll make an intrepid prediction: he won’t win. Or if I step aside, he will win, but after a week he will be ousted. Why? There are many popular personalities in Congress.)
Cayetano made the comment before offering his resignation as president of the Chamber a day after the news broke that Velasco would take office as of October 14.
This offer, however, was immediately rejected by Cayetano’s companions.
The Anakalusugan representative, Mike Defensor, made a motion to deny Cayetano’s offer to resign and was seconded by the representative of the Bulacan first district, José Antonio Sy Alvarado. Both legislators are known allies of Cayetano.
The motion was initially approved by voice vote, but Vice President Raneo Abu later announced that a roll call vote would take place.
In the end, 184 lawmakers voted to reject Cayetano’s offer to resign. [ac]
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