LOOK: Arroyo, Sara Duterte flash smiles like grinning emoticons at meeting

Photos from the Office of the Speaker

Update

Former president and now Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio met on Monday, a week after the former head of state took over the leadership of the House of Representatives.

The two women leaders, together with some House of Representatives members, had a lunch meeting at the Seda Hotel in Quezon City.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya Jr. confirmed to INQUIRER.net that Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos was also at the gathering.

Andaya said the event was “purely socials” and that Arroyo “thanked all for the support.” Only Arroyo spoke, he added.

Asked in an ambush interview at the House about the meeting, Arroyo said it was “very nice and pleasant.”

On July 23, Arroyo sealed her return to power after 184 House members voted her as the new Speaker, ending Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez’s two-year grip on the post.

READ: While Alvarez was making enemies, Arroyo was consolidating her forces

Rumors circulated as early as February this year that Arroyo was being eyed to replace Alvarez following a rift between the former Speaker and the Davao Mayor.

This came after Alvarez supposedly called her newly formed party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), as part of the opposition and for saying he could impeach President Rodrigo Duterte. Alvarez had denied these pronouncements.

Some lawmakers also claimed that the President’s daughter had a hand in Alvarez’s ouster.

READ: Solons say Sara Duterte played key role in Alvarez ouster

Following the change in the House leadership, some lawmakers who are also members of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) have been planning to shift allegiance to Sara’s regional party.   /vvp/ac

READ: Andaya: PDP-Laban solons eyeing Sara’s party

Photos from the Office of the Speaker

Photos from the Office of the Speaker

Photos from the Office of the Speaker