President Rodrigo Duterte meets with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, incoming Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and incoming Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who are vying for the House Speaker post in the coming 18th Congress, in Tokyo on May 29, 2019. With them (left) is Senator-elect Christopher “Bong” Go. Photo by CHRISTOPHER GO
MANILA, Philippines — The next Speaker of the House of Representatives should maintain the independence of the legislative body, instead of simply adhering to the agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration, according to a veteran lawmaker.
Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman gave this observation as all incoming lawmakers who aspire to be House Speaker have supposedly given their all-out support to Duterte.
“The principal aspirants for Speaker are all pledging unequivocal support for the President’s legislative agenda, irrespective of its merit or people’s acceptability,” Lagman said in a statement sent to reporters on Thursday.
“The House of Representatives needs a Speaker who can assure and defend the independence and integrity of the House as a co-equal department, and not act as a rubber stamp of the President,” he added.
Several Speaker candidates are known allies of Duterte. These include Marinduque lone district Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, incoming Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and incoming Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Recently, all three met with Duterte during the President’s trip to Tokyo, Japan.
READ: Duterte meets 3 bets for House Speaker in Tokyo
Another incoming lawmaker who was floated as the possible next Speaker is Duterte’s son, incoming Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, although the latter has insisted that he is not seeking the post.
READ: Paolo Duterte: I did not say I want to be House Speaker
Aside from the Speakership issue, Lagman also warned about the possibility of having a Duterte ally as the Minority Floor Leader — which may happen if the losing Speaker assumes the post.
“Since they all belong to the same Duterte mold, not one of them in the event of not being anointed by the President or after losing in the Speakership derby can qualify as Minority Leader who should not be beholden to President Duterte or the supermajority,” Lagman said.
When Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ascended as Speaker in 2018, lawmakers aligned with the opposition have taken offense with the appointment of Minority Leader and Quezon 3rd District Rep. Danilo Suarez, as he allegedly is aligned with Arroyo herself.
READ: Robredo: Suarez’ election as minority leader violates Congress’ rules
Lagman, who is returning as Albay representative in the 18th Congress, clarified that House Speakers can work with the sitting president, but at the same time can pursue different viewpoints with the administration.
READ: Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez is still House minority leader
“A worthy Speaker can have reasonable collaboration with the Administration but can pursue differing views consistent with the people’s welfare, the Constitution and the rule of law,” he added. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)