Palace: Duterte hopeful Cayetano, Velasco will follow term-sharing deal

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is hopeful that House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco will follow their term-sharing agreement, but said he cannot do anything if the latter lacks the number in terms of congressmen’s support.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said this was Duterte’s sentiment on the matter when he asked him about the speakership row at the House of Representatives.

“The President is hoping the Speaker and Congressman Velasco will honor their agreement but ultimately the decision will be the decision of individual congressmen,” Roque said in an online briefing.

“Ang sabi po niya, to quote talaga is, ‘Kung walang numero si Lord Allan, wala siyang magagawa,’” he went on.

(What he said and to really quote is, “If Lord Allan does not have the numbers, he cannot do anything anymore.”)

Duterte previously endorsed a term-sharing between current Cayetano and Velasco for the House speakership.

Cayetano will serve as Speaker for the first 15 months or up to October this year while Velasco will serve as Speaker in the remaining months.

The supermajority of congressmen want Cayetano to retain his post, instead of letting Velasco take over, House Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte claimed.

Villafuerte said he believes Velasco will not stand a chance against Cayetano in terms of the number of support from congressmen.

JPV