House coup plotters to be unmasked in due time – Villafuerte

MANILA, Philippines – A ranking lawmaker on Wednesday said those behind the supposed plot to oust Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano will be unmasked “in due time.”

“In due time, we will name them and members of Congress alam naman na kung sino ‘yung plotters eh,” Deputy Speaker for Finance Luis Raymund Villafuerte said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.

Villafuerte alleged that the coup plotters were offering chairmanship posts and are urging other lawmakers to join them in exchange for additional budget.

He also denied that the coup scenario was only “made up” to give Cayetano a reason for keeping his end of the term-sharing bargain with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

“We would rather focus on work. (Because) at the end of the day, ma affect image of the House,” the Camarines Sur representative said.

Cayetano last week claimed that Velasco’s camp offered several lawmakers budget allocations and chairmanship positions so he could take over the lower chamber’s top post.

President Duterte help brokered a deal last year for Cayetano to serve as Speaker for 15 months before Velasco takes over for 21 months.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, however, rejected the deal and backed Velasco for Speaker in the run-up to the May 13 midterm elections.

The presidential daughter is also reportedly displeased with the removal of Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab as head of the House Committee on Appropriations on Monday’s major shake-up in the House of Representatives.

GSG