Arroyo rise to House Speaker sparks outrage

Anti-government protesters march towards Congress where Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was scheduled to deliver his state of the nation address in Manila on July 23, 2018.
Duterte was to deliver the annual state of the nation address outlining policies for his third year in office. / AFP PHOTO / Ted ALJIBE

Thousands of protesters have jeered Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo’s rise to the position of House Speaker just minutes after she took her oath.

At the “United People’s SONA” rally in front of St. Peter’s Parish along Commonwealth Avenue, protesters were heard shouting, “Mas masahol pa ang pinalit kay Alvarez.”

Former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez was removed after a manifesto seeking his ouster was reportedly signed by a majority of lawmakers.

Protesters also slammed Arroyo for seemingly siding with President Duterte despite his reported “misogynistic” remarks against women.

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