ACT-Teachers party Rep. Antonio Tinio (left) and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate raise their fists for photographers upon arrival at the House of Representatives during the second State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, July 24, 2017. INQUIRER.NET FILE
The seven-member House Makabayan bloc will nominate ACT-Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio as the next Speaker should the House move to oust Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate confirmed this, moments before the opening of the third and last session of the 17th Congress on Monday.
Former-president-and-now-Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has also been rumored to replace Alvarez since February this year after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued scathing remarks against him.
This came after the Speaker supposedly called her newly-formed party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), as part of the opposition.
In an ambush interview before an all-member caucus prior the session, Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas refused to answer questions on the rumored change of leadership.
House Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia, after emerging from the short caucus, said she’s certain someone would object to this move.
READ: Oust Alvarez plot tackled ‘very briefly’ in all-members caucus – solon
Alvarez’s known rival, Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Antonio Floirendo Jr. said he heard of the rumor, but refused to give details.
Although Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte was “willing and able” to work with anyone, he said the change of leadership would be up to the House.
READ: Alvarez out? It’s up to House; Duterte ‘willing’ to work with anyone—Palace
Macapagal-Arroyo earlier denied seeking for the fourth highest post in the country. /cbb
READ: Arroyo denies seeking Speaker post