Velasco takes his oath before Duterte

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte administers the oath of office of Marinduque Represenative Lord Allan Jay Velasco as the new House Speaker at the Malacañang Palace on November 9, 2020. ARCEL VALDERRAMA/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte administered the oath of office of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco as the new House Speaker in a private ceremony held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace Monday night.

Velasco expressed gratitude to the President for all his help in making sure the speakership term-sharing agreement he brokered last year would be followed.

“I am deeply honored to be sworn in by President Duterte who I admire a lot and have high regard for. He is also one of the persons to whom I am greatly indebted,” Velasco said.

Velasco vowed to carry out the legislative agenda of the Duterte administration in Congress, noting that the lower chamber would prioritize measures that would put an end to systemic corruption and protect the interests and welfare of overseas Filipino workers, farmers and fisherfolk.

“I assure the President that he can rely on Congress to help him fulfill his promises to our people before his term ends in 2022,” Velasco said.

As the 27th House Speaker, Velasco also committed to exert all efforts toward attaining his goal of a “stronger, inclusive and united House.”

“We will work together in Congress to pass laws that are timely and responsive to the needs of our countrymen and to make the lower chamber truly the House representing the people,” he said.

Last month, Velasco was elected as the House Speaker, replacing Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.

A total of 186 lawmakers voted to ratify Velasco’s election as the chamber’s top leader.