The ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) has selected Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco as its nominee for House speakership in the incoming 18th Congress, according to Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday, June 26.
Through a video conference from Los Angeles, Pacquiao, the campaign manager of PDP-Laban, said, “By the power vested in me by the president of the party (Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III), I am therefore announcing the endorsement in support of the PDP-Laban to Congressman Lord Allan Velasco as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the full term of the 18th Congress.”
The senator noted that “majority” of the members of the party, which has 84 members in the House, signed a manifesto of support for Velasco.
The manifesto, released to media on Wednesday, was signed by representatives of four major blocs at the House of Representatives. Those who signed were Pampanga Representative Aurelio Gonzales of PDP-Laban, Rizal Representative Michael John Duavit and Valenzuela Representative Weslie Gatchalian of Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), 1-PACMAN party-list Representative Michael Romero of Party-list Coalition, and Ilocos Sur Representative-elect Kristine Singson-Meehan of the Northern Luzon Alliance.
“We are firmly convinced that Representative Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco is imbued with the leadership qualities to steer and unite the entire House of Representatives in the passage of crucial legislative reforms in support of the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in order to safeguard the country’s economic gains and social progress,” the manifesto read.
Apart from Velasco, among those lawmakers who are eyeing to replace House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are Leyte Representative-elect Martin Romualdez, Taguig Representative-elect Alan Peter Cayetano, and Davao del Norte 1st District Representative-elect Pantaleon Alvarez, who once led the lower chamber.
President Rodrigo Duterte, the PDP-Laban’s chairman, has opted not to endorse a candidate for House Speakership and instead asked Arroyo, who is on her third and final term, to choose who will be her successor.
“Tinawag ko si (I called) Cayetano, Alvarez, si Velasco,” Duterte earlier said. “Sabi ko, mamili ka na, ma’am. Hindi ako nambobola (I said you choose already, ma’am. I’m not kidding). I will ask a favor from you, huwag mo na akong bigyan ng sakit ng loob (do not give me heartache) because they are all my friends I don’t want to hurt anybody,” the Chief Executive earlier said.
Deeply humbled, honored
In his statement, Velasco said he is “deeply humbled and honored” by the PDP-Laban’s endorsement, saying that the trust and confidence of his partymates in his leadership will “inspire me to work harder in bringing about meaningful changes and the much-needed unity to the bigger chamber.”
If elected as House Speaker, Velasco assured that he will be a “consultative and listening leader, who welcomes his fellow lawmakers regardless of their political colors and affiliations.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, also on Wednesday, wished all those gunning for the Speakership the best.
According to him, the President is “comfortable with any of the aspirants since they are all his political allies.
“President Duterte is confident that the next Lower House leader would shepherd his legislative agenda for the nation’s best interest and the people’s general welfare,” he said, adding that the Palace is optimistic that congressmen will vote for the candidate they believe can give them “excellent stewardship in legislating policies and measures that will deliver positive and genuine change for our people.”
Panelo also reiterated Duterte’s stand not to make any endorsement, stressing that the latter would rather focus on running the government than “play politics.”
Malacañang on Tuesday told members of the lower house to not wait for the President’s endorsement, saying they are “knowledgeable” enough to choose who will be their next leader.