MANILA, Philippines – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte – Carpio’s recent remarks on Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez and Taguig 1st District Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano could affect their bids for House speakership, House minority leader and Quezon 3rd District Rep. Danilo Suarez said.
“Factor ‘yon,” Suarez said in an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Monday, referring to the recent adverse statements of the presidential daughter on Alvarez and Cayetano.
“I will not say that it will somewhat influence the thinking of the members…it’s the choice of the members but dun sa pangyayaring yan na nagkaroon ng mabigat na statement si Mayor Sara, medyo magkakaroon ng weight ‘yan doon sa pagpili ng mga…hindi pa decided na members ng House (of Representatives),” he added.
In an earlier statement, Duterte-Carpio said she will not accept Alvarez’s offer of reconciliation “because the offer was deceiving and utterly lacked sincerity.”
She also said that Alvarez was “surreptitiously” caught on video when he threatened to “embarrass her.”
“Alvarez was, and he remains to be, a very dangerous, Machiavellian individual who does not deserve peace,” the mayor added.
READ: Sara Duterte refuses to reconcile with ‘dangerous’ Alvarez
Alvarez, a known ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, was ousted as House speaker in July 2018 and was replaced by Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
Duterte-Carpio was reportedly behind the ouster of Alvarez.
READ: Solons say Sara Duterte played key role in Alvarez ouster
Meanwhile, the Davao City mayor brushed off the “threat” of Cayetano to leave the administration coalition should she endorse Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the next speaker.
READ: Sara Duterte unfazed as Cayetano ‘threatens’ to bolt admin
The presidential daughter said last week that the former foreign affairs chief, who is returning to the House of Representatives, “came with a veiled threat” and warned her not to endorse Velasco or he “would break up the ‘group.’”
Cayetano was President Duterte’s running mate in the 2016 presidential elections. but lost to now Vice President Leni Robredo.
‘Only two contenders left’
According to Suarez, the latest remarks of the presidential daughter may have narrowed down the contenders for the chamber’s top post.
“It will narrow down to just two, Congressman Velasco and (Leyte 2st District Rep. Martin) Romualdez,” Suarez said.
Asked to further clarify his statement, Suarez said: If you look at the parameters and the previous event, then a good number of lawmakers will say na parang ‘Uy, dalawa na lang pagpipilian natin, ayaw ng Mayor dito sa dalawa eh’ parang ganun.”
“As I’ve said, I’d go back to my earlier statement that Mayor Sara is one of the contenders in the 2022 presidential election,” he added. (Editor: Gilbert S. Gavola)
READ: Sara Duterte a factor in search for next Speaker – minority boss