Velasco denies giving away millions for speakership votes

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco

MANILA, Philippines — Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, a top contender for the House speakership, denied on Tuesday that he was giving away money to congressmen to get their votes.

“No, I’m not giving away P1 million. Then I’d be waiting for P1 million for myself,” Velasco said in an interview over ABS CBN News Channel, when asked if he was giving away money for congressmen to vote for him for Speaker.

“With respect to congressmen, they won’t go to that type of willy dilly just to get the votes,” he added.

“Each congressman has his or her own views. I don’t think congressmen can just be bought that easily,” Velasco further said.

Former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez earlier claimed that those seeking the speakership should be willing to pay between P500,000 and P1 million to each of the 300 incoming House members. (Editor: Cenon B. Bibe Jr.)

READ: ‘Spend P150M to P300M, to be next Speaker’