Speaker Velasco to seek reelection in 2022 polls

Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco (Photo from the Office of Cong. Velasco)

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco disclosed on Monday that he will seek reelection in next year’s national elections.

“I’m running for reelection. I still have one term. People are speculating that I might go for a higher position but definitely I still have a lot to finish in my province so I would want to finish first and work for my province of Marinduque,” Velasco said in an interview on ABS-CBN News Channel.

Asked if he will, once again, vie for the speakership, Velasco said he will if he still has the support of the majority of the House.

“That would depend if I have the support of the majority of Congress. If I have that, then definitely I would still gun for the speakership,” Velasco said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier initiated a term-sharing agreement between Velasco and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano for the House speakership post in the 18th Congress.

Cayetano was supposed to serve for the first 15 months of the term, with Velasco taking over for the last 21 months.

Cayetano, was ousted in October 2020 following a push from his allies for him to stay in power even as it was Velasco’s turn to assume the post.

gsg