MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will deliver a landslide win for Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte if he pursues his bid for the House Speaker in the 18th Congress, his allies declared Tuesday.
READ: Paolo Duterte sets sights on House speakership
Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban)’s National Executive Vice President, believes no other House member would dare to contest the presidential son in the speakership race.
“Pag siya ang pumasok sa speakership palagay ko wala nang lalaban dyan at lahat kami, all the coalition parties sasama dyan, we are for Pulong Duterte for Speaker,” Gonzales said in a phone interview, saying that more than 200 chamber members would surely back President Rodrigo Duterte’s eldest son.
Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda meanwhile said even Speaker aspirant Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez would give way to the younger Duterte.
“Paolo will get 300 and no need to share term. Surely, Martin will give way. The long and short of it: It’s still the President who will wield the sword,” Salceda said in a Facebook post.
Salceda is also a member of the ruling PDP-Laban but he has signified his support for Romualdez instead of the party-endorsed Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.
READ: Paolo Duterte’s joining Speakership race surprises Inday Sara
Asked if he sees no conflict with Paolo’s possible run for the speakership especially as the President, on May 27, vowed to resign if his son would vie for the fourth-highest position in the country, Gonzales admitted they would just heed the orders from the Palace. He even said those supporting Velasco would jump-ship to Paolo’s side, which would be acceptable with Velasco, according to Gonzales.
READ: Duterte: I will resign if Paolo runs to become House Speaker
“Eh ‘yan naman talaga eh di ba? ‘Yung speakership naman talaga… nangagaling ang marching orders sa taas. Kaya lahat kami naghihintay,” the Pampanga lawmaker said.
“Yung term sharing, pag sinabi na ng Palasyo ‘yun, wala po kami magagawa lahat kami. Sabi ko nga, we will respect the decision of the Palace, whatever it is,” he also said.
Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., a member of the 54-strong party-list coalition in the House said their bloc has yet to decide on the possible entry of Paolo in the speakership race. But he said he has no issue with this.
“He’s a congressman, he’s entitled to vie the speakership wala namang issues doon… Pagdating sa qualification, as long as you’re an incumbent congressman, you can run for any position in the House,” Garbin said in an interview.
But the party-list representative believes a candidate’s ability to “unite” the chamber remains the most important qualification for the next House leader.
Former House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez earlier warned against the idea of Paolo becoming the Speaker, citing “delicadeza” and a possible uproar from the public.
House members will elect their Speaker at the inaugural opening of the 18th Congress on July 22. (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)
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