It is Davao City Third District Representative Isidro Ungab who was endorsed by regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) for the highest position in the House of Representatives.
In a statement released on Wednesday, July 3, the party led by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, “has been patiently observing the developments in the House of Representatives.”
“We understand if President [Rodrigo] Duterte, because of delicadeza, will not accept the intent of our brother from Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, Congressman Paolo Duterte, to resolve the conflict among candidates,” it said.
“Therefore, we are endorsing the bid of Congressman Isidro Ungab for Speaker,” it added.
The party noted Ungab’s experience in serving the government that aside from being a four-term congressman, he is the “only lawmaker” who handled the chairmanships of Committees of Ways and Means and Appropriations.
“We suggest that Cong. Alan Peter Cayetano take the Majority Leadership position, Cong. Lord Alan Velasco to take the Appropriations Committee, and Cong. Martin Romuladez to head the Accounts Committee,” the HNP said, adding, “We earnestly hope that everyone can see the light in this option and move forward with urgency in serving our country.”
This came after the President’s eldest son announced on Tuesday that he is now considering vying for the top post in the lower chamber.
Paolo, who previously said he has no interest in the House speakership, said he changed his mind after talks of term sharing being pushed by Cayetano, one of the House Speaker aspirants.
“The house is divided, I might be able to help unite it. Pareho lang kaming binoto ng mga tao ah. Kung term sharing, term sharing na kaming lahat (We were all elected by the people. If they want term sharing, then we will all share terms),” he said.
Paolo is proposing that the Speaker’s term would be split among representatives from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and party-list blocs.
“We are not talking about two persons here. We are talking about our beloved country. It is not about speakership alone, but who is the right person to unite Congress and I hope those running for the speakership stop influencing the Cabinet,” he said.
The Chief Executive earlier said he would resign should his eldest son chooses to seek House speakership, but Malacañang said the President could still ‘change his mind.’
“You make a position, you make a stand on the basis of circumstances. When those circumstances change, you change your stand,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing on Tuesday.