‘President’s wish’: PDP-Laban affirms support for Cayetano as Speaker

Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco (left) and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (right) led a meeting with PDP-Laban House members in Taguig City, Thursday night. Photo from Cayetano’s office

MANILA, Philippines — Ruling party PDP-Laban will be voting for Taguig-Pateros Congressman Allan Peter Cayetano as House Speaker, interim party executive vice president and Pampanga Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales said Sunday morning. 

Gonzales said the party, which President Rodrigo Duterte chairs, respects the “wish” of the President. 

“That’s the wish of the President kasi eh. We will respect the wish of the President. So tomorrow, Speaker Allan Cayetano,” he said.

Earlier, Duterte announced that Cayetano and PDP-Laban-backed Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco would share their term as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Cayetano will assume the post first, with Velasco taking over after 15 months. 

The voting for the new Speaker is set to happen before Duterte delivers his State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 22 after incumbent Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ended her third and final House term last June 30. /je