Duterte to lose credibility if speakership term-sharing deal is snubbed – Atienza

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will lose “a lot of credibility” if the term-sharing deal on the speakership between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, which the President himself brokered, will not push through, Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said Tuesday.

“(I think) a lot of credibility will be lost. (If the President speaks the same tune) next time, people will be raising their eyebrows. Really? Will he stand by it?” he told reporters in an interview when asked what would be the effects if the term-sharing deal will not push through.

In 2019, Duterte brokered a deal where Cayetano would serve as Speaker in the first 15 months of the 18th Congress while Velasco will succeed to serve for the remaining 21 months.

Cayetano’s term is expected to end next month, according to the agreement.

Cayetano and Velasco are set to meet with the President on Tuesday as the speakership issue continues to heat up in the House of Representatives.

Atienza said he expects the President will tell both parties to honor their commitment.

“Knowing the President and his word of honor, I would hope that he now tells both parties, ‘You honor your commitment. Anybody who breaks his commitment, don’t dare show your face to me.’ This is where we have a window through the President’s character,” he said. [ac]