Suspension of session due to Cayetano’s fears he does not have House numbers — Velasco

MANILA, Philippines — The abrupt suspension of the session in the House of Representatives was due to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s fears that he does not have the numbers to stay in his post at the helm of the lower chamber, his chief rival for the speakership post said on Friday.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel on Friday, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco expressed confidence that he has the backing of the majority of House members.

“We are very confident that we have the majority of Congress in supporting our cause. I believe [it’s] still counting because of all the unfortunate events that happened recently, mas dumarami lalo ang suporta namin sa Kongreso,” Velasco said.

Asked how confident he is that these congressmen are not “flying voters” especially that Cayetano’s camp is also claiming that they have the numbers, Velasco pointed his fingers at the recent abrupt suspension of session in the House.

“Just look at the events that happened recently, why was the reason why he suspended the session abruptly? Isa lang ibig sabihin nun, Speaker Cayetano is afraid because he does not have the numbers. As easy as that, as simple as that, yun lang ang ibig sabihin nun,” Velasco said.

“But at the end of the day, we have the majority of congressmen supporting us at alam mo naman sa Kongreso, majority always rules. Why majority always rules? Because we are in a democracy. Each and every congressman represents a district so if you have majority of the congressmen supporting you, you actually have majority of the Filipino people supporting you and your cause,” he added.

To recall, in an unexpected move, Cayetano made a motion to terminate deliberations to the proposed 2021 budget, and with the period of debates and amendments closed, the budget was approved on second reading.

Consequently, the session was suspended until November 16, meaning there would be no session on October 14 when the speakership issue was supposed to be settled.

Velasco said that there is a resolution going around to resume the session and tackle the proposed national budget for 2021.

“Majority rules. If the majority of Congress wants to open sessions, they can open session,” Velasco said.

Under the term-sharing agreement, Cayetano would serve as House Speaker in the first 15 months of the 18th Congress while Velasco would succeed to serve for the remaining 21 months.

EDV