Proposed term sharing for Speaker bets dead in the House

Update

MANILA, Philippines — The term sharing deal among Speaker candidates allegedly being pushed by some Cabinet members of the Duterte administration is already “dead” in the House, Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor said Thursday.

“Term sharing is already dead and nothing will come out of it… Whatever is the pros and cons of this arrangement, politically pinatay na nung mga blocs at party leaderships that they will not support any term sharing,” Defensor said during a forum at Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City.

In a separate statement, Defensor noted that in 1998, President Rodrigo Duterte was one of only five who voted for then Makati Rep. Joker Arroyo as Speaker even though he eventually lost.

“I will follow his example and vote according to my conscience and belief of who will be the best for the Filipino nation. No deal nor arrangement can influence my stand,” he added.

It was Duterte who earlier revealed the agreement between Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, wherein Cayetano would be the Speaker of the 18th Congress for the first 15 months and the latter would take over for the remaining 21 months of the three-year term. But Velasco, Duterte said, backed out of the deal which he admitted was his idea.

The proposed term sharing is also being pushed by some Cabinet members who are supportive of Cayetano’s speakership bid, according to Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza.

Consequences

But this set-up will “undermine” the continuity of leadership and the passage of crucial bills, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda warned.

“They are undermining the continuity of [leadership], kasi tatlong taon lang kami ‘di katulad sa Senate na anim na taon. Pag nagbago-bago ng Speaker, may impact at consequences po ‘yan sa committee chairmanships and memberships,” he said.

“Maaantala po ‘yung ibang mga bills lalo na ‘yung mga critical bills. Isa pa ‘yung rason para pumili si Presidente,” added Salceda, who has been urging Duterte to pick his bet for the position and to choose Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

Capiz 2nd District Rep. Fredenil Castro meanwhile said the proposed set-up would bring “instability” and “insecurity” in the chamber.

“Hindi advisable ang term-sharing sapagkat ito ay nagdudulot ng instability at insecurity,” the former Majority Leader said.

“Like for example meron tayong Speaker pagkatapos merong term sharing, hindi nya na rin gagawin ng tama ang kanyang trabaho dahil papalitan naman sya. ‘Yung mga committee chairmen at members balewala na rin ang kanilang mga trabaho dahil at the end of the day papalitan din sila,” he explained.

After the talks of term sharing floated, Duterte’s son, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, threatened to join the Speaker race in a bid to “unite” the “divided” chamber.

This also triggered Davao Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago to suddenly field Davao City 3rd District Rep. Isidro Ungab as the regional party’s bet for the position.

The group also suggested that Cayetano take the Majority Leader position, Velasco the powerful appropriations committee, and Romualdez head the accounts panel.