Members of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives said the change in the speakership is merely an internal issue among supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte, which will not benefit Filipinos.
“The Macapagal-Arroyo faction was victorious but nothing beneficial to the Filipino will come out of it. As it is, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo already said that she would push for the legislative agenda of President Duterte,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
“What happened last night was an in-fighting of the pro-Duterte factions but even so whoever is placed in that position would push for the continued push for Charter change and higher taxes,” they claimed.
READ: With House sound system dead, Arroyo takes oath as new Speaker
The Makabayan bloc further said that the events prior to and after Monday’s State of the Nation Address (Sona) shows the alleged sorry state of Philippine politics.
“This reflects the rotten politics of the ruling system and shows the easy turncoatism of politicians,” they explained.
The bloc, composed of left-leaning lawmakers such as Bayan Muna’s Carlos Zarate, ACT Teacher’s Party-list’s Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela’s Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis’ Ariel Casilao and Kabataan’s Sarah Elago, voted against Arroyo’s installation as House speaker.
The Sona was delayed for more than an hour after congressmen and congresswomen supportive of Arroyo tried to replace former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who still acted as the House leader during the Sona itself.
READ: Duterte had threatened to walk out of own Sona – Sotto
“We would continue to oppose the anti-people and anti-poor policies of the Duterte administration and we hope that more congressmen would side with the people,” they added. /ee