Lagman: Arroyo may be plotting counteroffensive following demotion

Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

MANILA, Philippines — Liberal Party President and Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said on Wednesday that former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may be waiting for the right moment to strike back after her demotion from senior deputy speaker to deputy speaker.

Lagman said that he is sure that Speaker Martin Romualdez likely has “incriminatory details and evidence regarding the plot to oust him.” 

Romualdez has previously reiterated that the House is in order, going as far as to offer a sign of respect to Arroyo during a House session. 

Lagman also said that while all appears to be well, with Arroyo accepting her fate, a plot may be brewing. 

“Protagonists kiss and makeup in public with daggers behind their backs. Token gestures of amity actually hide enmity. The drama in the House has not ended. Astute and experienced politician that she is, GMA will not take lying down her humiliating and insulting demotion. She may be biding her time to make a counteroffensive,” said Lagman.  

Lagman has urged Romualdez to bare the details of Arroyo’s alleged plot. 

“It is incumbent for the Speaker, in the interest of the House Members still in the dark, to reveal the inculpatory details of a plot by GMA for her to deserve such an abrupt, unceremonious, and humiliating demotion from Senior Deputy Speaker to one of the many Deputy Speakers,” said Lagman.

After Arroyo was unceremoniously demoted, she denied that she was plotting to oust Romualdez as Speaker. 

Days after this, Vice President Sara Duterte left the ruling Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats, which is headed by Romualdez. 

While Duterte did not specify why she left, she said that she would now allow “political toxicity” and “execrable political power play” to affect her work. 

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