Ungab backs Marcos administration despite losing deputy speaker post

Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab at the plenary session on the 2020 national budget. (INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO)

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab assured the Marcos administration on Tuesday of his full support despite his being stripped of his post as House of Representatives deputy speaker post.

“I accept the decision of the House Leadership to remove me from my position as Deputy Speaker. I have been in Congress long enough to understand the dynamics and interpersonal relations among its members,” Ungab said in a statement.

“Despite my removal, I remain supportive of this administration, believing in its program of government, as I have also helped in the campaign last year, in the belief that it can bring a better hope and future for the Filipino people.”

Earlier, during the plenary session, the House approved a motion to remove Ungab and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as deputy speakers.

Deputy Majority Leader Ramon Nolasco Jr. made the motion, proposing to elect Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio Albano and Lanao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Yasser Alonto Balindong in place of Ungab and Arroyo as deputy speakers.

Ungab said he accepted the House decision without bitterness.

“I would like to thank all those who were instrumental in making my tenure as deputy speaker meaningful, memorable, and worthwhile,” he said.

“I accept my fate without any rancor nor bitterness. I leave the deputy speakership’s position assured that I have performed my duties well, with the best intentions and great love for my country.”

In a separate statement on the same issue, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said that the decision came after both Arroyo and Ungab failed to sign an important House resolution.

Dalipe did not mention what specific resolution he was referring to, but the House on Monday adopted House Resolution (HR) No. 1414, which sought to uphold the dignity and integrity of the legislative chamber.

This was after former President Rodrigo Duterte launched tirades against the House, calling it the “most rotten government organization” after the body decided to strip the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) of its confidential fund requests for 2024.

The OVP and DepEd are both headed by Duterte’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.

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Both Ungab and Arroyo have been deemed as allies of the Dutertes: Vice President Duterte in the past heaped praise on Arroyo several times, while Ungab was one of the lawmakers who defended the OVP when its confidential funds for 2022 were under scrutiny.