MANILA, Philippines — The Nacionalista Party (NP) extended its “collaborative hand” to the new House leadership under Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, pledging for continued support towards the legislative agenda of the Duterte government, Las Piñas City Rep. Camille Villar said Thursday.
Rep. Camille Villar, daughter of NP chair Manny Villar, made the statement following the leadership change in the House that ended the speakership of Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Cayetano is a member of the NP.
“The party nevertheless extends its collaborative hand to the new House leadership and vows to work closely with their team to ensure the success of the President’s legislative and economic agenda,” Villar said in a statement.
She said the political party “remains steadfast” in supporting the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic.
“With a robust leadership backed by a pro-active Cabinet, we believe that the country is in a better position to rise from the challenges of this pandemic and ultimately, facilitate the delivery of the cure against COVID 19,” said Villar.
“We join President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his unrelenting campaign to weed out corruption in government, which is stealing precious resources that should have gone directly to the people,” she added.
Further, Villar said that the political party also commits to the speedy passage of the 2021 national budget “that would be truly reflective of the needs of the people and not merely based on the requirements of the districts.”
In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, also member of NP, said the political party met with Velasco on Wednesday where they submitted a manifesto expressing support towards the House leader.
Among the signatories of the manifesto was Cayetano, said Barbers.
On Monday, 186 lawmakers ousted Cayetano from the speakership and elected Velasco as the new top leader of the House of Representatives.
Majority of the legislators ratified Velasco’s win the following day leading to Cayetano’s resignation as Speaker.