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Marinduque’s representative, Lord Allan Velasco, admitted on Monday that the support of the mayor of the city of Davao, Sara Duterte, was a “great push” in his fight to wrest the voice of his rival, the representative of Taguig-Pateros. , Alan Peter Cayetano.
“I think Mayor Sara Duterte is really helpful. We know the influence that Mrs. Sara has and I think it was a great boost in my election as president of the House of Representatives, ”Velasco said in a television interview.
Under the shared term agreement negotiated by President Duterte in 2019, Cayetano would lead the House of Representatives for the first 15 months of the 18th Congress and then Velasco would take office for the next 21 months.
Cayetano, however, insisted on staying as Spokesperson, citing the “overwhelming” support of his colleagues and the need to pass the 2021 national budget. He was eventually overthrown after 186 legislators voted in favor of Velasco.
Previously, Velasco met with the mayor of the city of Davao, chairman of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) party, to seek his support for the highest office in the House.
“I definitely think that Mayor Inday Sara really has a lot of influence not only in Congress but also in many areas. With the HNP party joining or endorsing my speech, I definitely think it was a turning point, “he said.
This was not the first time that Sara was involved in the impeachment of the highest leader of the House. In 2018, President Duterte admitted that Sara was behind the replacement of President Pantaleón Álvarez by the then representative of Pampanga, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Velasco said he had secured the support of 95 percent of the House despite Cayetano’s earlier warning that he would be removed within a week of taking office.
“As of today, the supermajority has 286 members. That already comprises 95 percent of the members of the Chamber, ”he said.
Previously, Manila Representative Welcome Abante Jr. resigned from his position as minority leader in the House and joined the majority bloc.
Abante and the representative of Pampanga, Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo, will receive key positions.
Velasco said Mikey will take over as chair of the House energy committee. He was still evaluating what position to give Abante.
“I’ll give the position to Cong. Mikey Arroyo primarily because he is the senior vice president at the moment, ”Velasco said.
Mikey belongs to Lakas-CMD.
Lakas-CMD was seen as the “decisive vote” in the power struggle for the speaker position between Velasco and Cayetano.
In 2018, Velasco supported Mikey’s mother, Gloria, when she was elected to head the House following Álvarez’s removal.
Velasco said he spoke with Lakas-CMD party leaders to gain the party’s support for his presidential bid. –With a report by Julie M. Aurelio INQ
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