MANILA, Philippines — Taguig City representative and former House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano sees no reason as to why Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy-Alvarado was removed from his post as House committee on good government and public accountability.
“Outstanding ang performance ni Jonathan so walang dahilan (Jonathan’s performance is outstanding so there’s no reason),” Cayetano told reporters in an interview on Friday.
“Having said that, I said, I’m an observer from the outside, pero medyo divisive ang pangyayari (what has happened was somewhat divisive),” he added.
Sy-Alvarado, a known ally of Cayetano, was replaced by DIWA Partlist Rep. Michael Aglipay, an ally of Marinduque representative and current House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
The Bulacan lawmaker is one of Cayetano’s allies who was stripped of leadership post in the House of Representatives.
“Well tandaan nyo po, ginawang isyu sa akin yung palabra de honor (word of honor), sabi nila may usapan, ako naman sumusunod lang sa Pangulo, nung sinabing hanggang December, sinusunod ko siya, nung sinabing ibigay mo na, ibinigay ko naman,” Cayetano raised.
(If you remember, the issue raised against me was “palabra de honor,” they said we had an agreement. I just followed the President. When he said until December, I followed. When he said give it, I gave it.)
“But kaharap ako nung nangako si Congressman Velasco na walang papalitan dahil ang coalition naman, ay coalition din ng tao niya, supporters niya, supporters ni [House Majority Leader] Martin Romualdez, supporters ko, and of course, lahat ito ay supporter ng ating Pangulo,” he added.
(But I was there when Congressman Velasco promised that no changes will be made because the coalition is also his supporters, supporters of Martin Romualdez, my supporters, and of course, all of the supporters of the President.)
He then wished Aglipay all the best in his new post, but added: “Pero sayang po, kasi ang ganda ng mga sinimulan ni Congressman Jonathan Sy-Alvarado.”
(But it’s a shame because what Congressman Jonathan Sy-Alvarado had started was already good.)