MANILA, Philippines — Incumbent Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday refused to recognize the election of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the new head of the House of Representatives, saying the latter’s supporters have disregarded the Constitution and are now resorting to “revolutionary government.”
The embattled speaker said the move to hold a session outside the premises of the House is against the written formalities and rules of the House and the Constitution.
“Kapag may kumilala sa kanila, we’re in a different dimension, different universe already. Let’s not be too cavalier, these formalities, these rules in the House, the Constitution, are not just words,” he said in a press conference.
Incumbent Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano holds press conference at House of Representatives in Batasang Pambansa Complex on Oct. 12, 2020, as majority of lawmakers convene session in Celebrity Sports Complex in Quezon City. Screengrab from Facebook live
“Kung kikilalanin ngayon, they’re throwing away the Constitution, they are asking for a revolutionary government. That’s the reality,” Cayetano added.
He pointed out that lawmakers can not just gather at one place and declare a quorum as that is unconstitutional.
“Walang democracy unless we respect the rules and Congress is true. It’s really a travesty, ‘yung nangyari ngayon,” Cayetano said.
“Don’t throw away the Constitution into the waste basket,” he added.
A total of 186 congressmen, or majority of 299 members of the House of Representatives, have elected Velasco as the new Speaker in a session that was conducted outside the House.
A total of 186 congressmen, or majority of 299 members of the House of Representatives, have elected Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the new Speaker in a session held Monday at the Celebrity Sports Complex in Quezon City.