MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte should endorse a House Speaker from the contenders of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. appealed Tuesday.
“‘Di ko po pinapakiusap ang sarili ko na maging Speaker, ang pinapakiusap ko po ang dapat maging Speaker po ay taga PDP-Laban because this is your party,” Gonzales, who is one of PDP-Laban’s Speaker aspirant, said in an interview, reffering to Duterte.
Although the President had expressed a hands-off stance on the speakership race, Gonzales worried: “Pag hindi nakialam ang Pangulo, mga negosyante na ang papasok dyan.”
The other Speaker contenders from PDP-Laban are former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco. Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano from the Nacionalista Party and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez from Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats are also joining the speakership battle.
READ: Race to speakership just a front war among tycoons–Tinio
The lawmaker said PDP-Laban President Sen. Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III would meet Duterte to discuss the party’s official candidate for speakership.
Gonzales, who courted the 54-member party-list coalition on Tuesday, also chided fellow contenders who have political ambitions in 2022 and who are protecting their business interests in seeking the position.
“I have no political ambition sa 2022… wala akong direct access kay Presidente at kay ma’am Sara (Duterte-Carpio),” he said, as he vowed to be an “equalizing or unifying” House leader.
“Wala po akong negosyong pino-proteksyunan, I am just an ordinary congressman,” he added, noting that he did not come from a political family.
All those vying to be the next Speaker are known allies of the present administration and have vowed to pursue the President’s legislative agenda in the 18th Congress, which is expected to be dominated by a supermajority of pro-administration lawmakers.
READ: LP sees same ‘tyranny of majority’ in next Congress
The 17th Congress will adjourn sine die on June 8, while the 18th Congress will open on July 22, the same day the next Speaker would be elected and Duterte would deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address. (Editor: Julie Espinosa)