House united? Gonzales, Arroyo walk together as new senior deputy speaker takes oath

Screenshot from House/LIVESTREAM

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers applauded both Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo after walking together to the rostrum as the former took his oath as the House of Representatives Senior Deputy Speaker.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez himself administered the oath to Gonzales during Monday’s session.

His family accompanied Gonzales.

Many lawmakers in the session hall clapped their hands, after seeing Gonzales and Arroyo walking side by side.

It can be remembered that Arroyo was removed from the senior deputy speaker post last Wednesday.

Gonzales replaced her.

Arroyo was then named a deputy speaker.

A House official said the move was meant to unburden Arroyo from the heavy load of a senior deputy speaker.

The former president eventually admitted that her actions may have been misconstrued as a House coup attempt.

Arroyo said while she initially wanted to be the House speaker when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. won in 2022, she saw the wisdom in placing Romualdez as the head of the House.

These actions appear that any leadership issues may have gone away, as Arroyo was seen holding Romualdez and Gonzales’ hands at the rostrum.

Arroyo and Romualdez belong to the same party — Lakas-CMD — while Gonzales and Arroyo have been longtime allies.

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APL/abc