Arroyo: My replacement as senior deputy speaker was House’ prerogative

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (INQUIRER File Photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The move to replace former president and now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as a senior deputy speaker was up to the decision of the House of Representatives.

“It’s the prerogative of the House,” Arroyo said in a short statement sent by her office to reporters.

During the session earlier, House approved a move to replace Arroyo as senior deputy speaker, switching roles with former deputy speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr.

This means Arroyo will still be a deputy speaker, but Gonzales would take on the senior deputy speaker role.

Majority Floor Leader and Zamboanga 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said the move was meant to ease the lawmaker of her many responsibilities.

“The House of Representatives has elected Deputy Speaker Aurelio ‘Don’ Gonzales, Jr. as Senior Deputy Speaker to unburden his cabalen, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, of the heavy load required from the position,” Dalipe said.

A former House speaker during the 17th Congress, Arroyo has been a key fixture in several of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s foreign trips where incumbent House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was present.

There have been many criticisms as to why Romualdez and Arroyo were present in Marcos’ overseas trips, but the Chief Executive has heaped praises on the former president for guiding them — calling her once the delegation’s secret weapon.

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