Hail to new House chief: Sara Duterte says Arroyo a strong leader

Newly-elected House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio congratulated newly-elected House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and even described the former President as “a strong leader” a day after the House of Representatives ousted  Davao Del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez from the lower chamber’s leadership.

“Congratulations to SPGMA (Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo). A strong leader,” Duterte-Carpio told INQUIRER.net in a text message on Tuesday.

Arroyo was elected Speaker on Monday by 184 House members, becoming the 21st leader of the House and the first woman to hold the post.

The House leadership was grappled with a daylong leadership row on Monday, hours before President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his third State of the Nation Address (Sona), as allies of Arroyo tried to install her as the replacement for Alvarez.

The takeover delayed the President’s Sona by more than an hour.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque had earlier told INQUIRER.net that Mr. Duterte was “willing and able” to work with anyone.

As early as 2016, reports surfaced that Arroyo was seeking the Speaker position but the now Pampanga Representative has denied this and said she was “not interested” in the post.

Rumors of a possible change of leadership at the House of Representatives gained traction in February this year after Duterte-Carpio issued scathing remarks against Alvarez, who supposedly called her newly-formed party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), as part of the opposition as it was not sanctioned by the President.

The Presidential daughter also alleged that Alvarez had boasted before a crowd that he, as House Speaker, could easily impeach the President.

Alvarez has denied these allegations.

Asked to comment on accusations that she had a hand in the removal of Alvarez as House Speaker, Duterte-Carpio said: “No comment.”   /kga