Duterte distances himself from speakership race: ‘Labo-labo nalang kayo’
MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday he will let lawmakers decide who will be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Duterte stressed that he cannot decide who to support as the frontrunners for the top post in Congress are his “friends.”
Top contenders for the speakership include Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, Leyte Rep.Martin Romualdez, and Taguig Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who was Duterte’s defeated running mate in the 2016 presidential elections.
“Ang suggestion ko ganito. ‘Yan lang naman puro tayo magkaibigan dito, huwag na lang tao mag-away. I will not help anybody. Maglabo-labo na lang kayo,” Duterte told reporters in Malacañang.
(My suggestion is this. Since we are all friends here, let’s not quarrel. I will not help anybody. Decide among yourselves.)
Duterte said he had apologized to the three contenders for failing to come up with a decision.
“I am sorry, I am very sorry I could not be of help,” he said.
Panelo earlier said lawmakers need not wait for Duterte’s endorsement for the next Speaker.
“The Palace is, therefore, optimistic that the members of Congress know and will vote for the candidate whom they think and believe can give them excellent stewardship in legislating policies and measures that will deliver positive and genuine change for our people,” Panelo said in a recent Palace briefing. (Editor: Eden Estopace)
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