Interim Majority Leader Fredenil Castro on Wednesday said he would give way to Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya Jr. if they are both nominated as majority leader of the House of Representatives.
“The truth is that so many members of the House of Representatives suspect that I will be the next majority floor leader. But you know, I’m not the only one who’s being eyed to be the majority leader. There are other members of the House of Representatives who are equally qualified to be Majority floor leader,” the Capiz 2nd District representative told reporters.
“But it looks like it’s between me and Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya. And if that happens, I am not going to contest it because Nonoy Andaya is close to me and I’m not going to allow that I’m losing a friend simply because of a political position,” he added.
Castro was, however, hesitant to disclose if he is amenable to term sharing.
“I said there is nothing wrong with it, but I am not going to… because again let me reiterate I don’t want to lose a friend,” he said.
“Hindi ko pangungunahan ang appointing authority (I will not make a move ahead of the appointing authority) I will graciously allow Nonoy Andaya to be the majority leader if it is the pleasure of the appointing authority,” he added.
Asked if he was offered any other position aside from the majority leadership, he answered: “Sa ganyang usapan bingi utak ko (In that kind of talk my mind is deaf).”
The lawmaker said the House would probably elect a new set of officers any time from Wednesday to Monday.
But Castro said he was advised that there would be minimal movement, especially in the committee chairmanships.
Castro is president of the National Unity Party, one of the political parties in the House with around 48 members. — With reports from, Daphnie Beltran, INQUIRER.net Intern /ee