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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 9) – One congressman believes that House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano could mend broken friendships in the House of Representatives if he changed his position to Marinduque representative Lord Allan Velasco.
“So if the Speaker shows some magnanimity, understanding, friendship, chivalry, eh palagay ko (I think) he will honor the term swap agreement and could resign at any time and relinquish the speaker’s position to his successor, Cong. Velasco. That would end the problem, and we would all be friends again, ”Buhay Party roster representative Lito Atienza told CNN Philippines.
“It would provoke unity and friendship among members of Congress, who are now divided on this issue, the issue of the gentlemen’s agreement is being violated,” he added.
The dispute over the presidency has led to the removal of some Velasco allies from their positions as vice president and chair of commissions.
READ: Cayetano and Velasco clash allies over the fate of the vote of speakers without a session in the Chamber
Under the shared term agreement negotiated by President Rodrigo Duterte, Cayetano will occupy the Lower House in the first 15 months of the XVIII Congress and Velasco will become the Speaker for the remaining 21 months.
Velasco is expected to take over as speaker on October 14, but Cayetano decided to suspend the session until November 16.
Atienza said that it is up to Cayetano to take advantage of the special session of Congress, from October 13 to 16, and to respect the shared term agreement.
“That is not on the schedule, but if he really considers it appropriate to take advantage of the resumption of the session, that depends on him,” Atienza told CNN Philippines. “It all depends on the character of President Cayetano.”
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