Romero: Duterte’s Speaker endorsement to foster harmony between Palace and Congress

MANILA, Philippines – A party-list lawmaker has warned of a “very destructive government” if the Executive and Legislative branches of government would always clash.

According to 1-Pacman Rep. Michael Romero, members of the House of Representatives hold President Rodrigo Duterte’s opinion on the Speakership issue in high regard to foster harmonious relationships between the two branches.

“Kami naman, we have to hear it from the President as congressmen and congresswomen.  Kasi we (legislative) cannot go head to head with the executive branch naman […] kung hindi kakampi ‘yong legislative, we would have a very destructive government,” he told ABS-CBN News Channel on Thursday.

Romero, one of the country’s billionaires, added that the economy would likely suffer in case of a deadlock.

“Ibig sabihin, magkakagulo,” he claimed. “You know our economy is doing about 7-8 percent GDP (gross domestic product).  Kapag nag-clash ang executive at legislative, babagsak ‘yang economy mo, number one kaagad ‘yan,” he explained.

“So we have really to go hand-in-hand, hand-in-glove talaga,” he added.

Despite earlier pronouncements that he would not meddle in the Speakership squabble, Duterte stepped in to fix the issues dividing the House.  He proposed a term sharing between Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, while Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez will settle for Majority floor leader.

Prior to Duterte’s statements, there were at least six major candidates who have stepped in the race — Velasco, Cayetano, Romualdez, Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Davao City 3rd District Rep. Alberto Ungab, and Duterte’s son, Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.

READ: Duterte ends speakership squabble

READ: Duterte pushes for Cayetano-Velasco term-sharing for Speaker

Several government officials, including Senator Richard Gordon and Makabayan bloc representatives have criticized some members of the House for seeking Duterte’s intervention on the speakership issue, as it supposedly violates the independence of each branch. /muf

READ: Gordon hits congressmen for seeking Duterte intervention on speakership

READ: Bayan Muna rep says Makabayan not delusional with Zarate speakership bid

READ: Zarate: ‘Duterte coalition’ cracks widening amid race for speaker