MANILA, Philippines — Camarines Sur 2nd Dist. Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., a staunch ally of recently replaced Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, has been removed as deputy speaker of the House of Representatives.
This comes as the shuffle in the lower legislative body commenced with the accession of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco to the speakership.
During the House session on Wednesday, lawmakers moved to re-elect as deputy speaker 1-PACMAN Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero to take the place of Villafuerte.
Romero, a known Velasco ally, lost his post as deputy speaker last week in the heat of the speakership squabble that gripped the lower chamber for months.
The House likewise elected a strong Velasco backer, Oriental Mindoro 1st Dis. Rep. Doy Leachon, as senior deputy speaker.
Deputy speakers are the second-highest ranking officials in the House of Representatives. They are tasked to preside over the House in the absence of the Speaker.