As House drama ends, Duterte calls on Velasco, Cayetano to ensure 2021 budget’s passage

President Rodrigo Duterte meets with Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano and newly-installed House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to discuss the issues that propelled the House of Representatives into the limelight earlier this week. /PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO, Alberto Alcain

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has urged rival lawmakers Alan Peter Cayetano and newly installed Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to work together to ensure the timely passage of the 2021 national budget during a meeting in Malacañang on Tuesday afternoon.

According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the two lawmakers “agreed to work together as one majority [to] ensure the timely passage of the 2021 budget and other priority legislation of the Duterte administration.”

Duterte’s former aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go also confirmed the President’s appeal for unity.

“All is well. Parang tatay si Tatay Digong (na) kinausap mga anak niya. Pinayuhan (sila) na mag kaisa. One majority and pass the budget para sa sambayanang Pilipino,” Go told reporters in a text message.

(All is well. President Duterte is like a father who talked to his children. He advised them to be united as one majority and pass the budget for the Filipino people.)

Duterte summoned Cayetano and Velasco as a power struggle has threatened to derail the approval of the country’s pandemic war chest, shortly after some 186 lawmakers voted to ratify the Marinduque Representative’s election as Speaker.

Cayetano then tendered his “irrevocable” resignation. [ac]