‘May paglalagyan si Cayetano:’ Alan losing numbers after sacking Romero from leadership post, says Atienza

MANILA – House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is now reportedly losing his grip and influence over the 304-member legislative chamber not only for his supposed defiance of term-sharing agreement brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte but also for dismissal of Rep. Mikee Romero from the leadership post.

Buhay Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza claimed that Cayetano has found himself in a difficult situation after launching a vicious loyalty check that led to the removal of Romero, representative of 1PACMAN Party-list and president of the influential Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) as deputy speaker last Friday.

“Alan has lost a lot of support (following Romero’s removal as deputy speaker),” Atienza said.

The former Manila Mayor noted that Romero wields influence among party-list bloc which has 54 members.

Atienza said he was also quite sure the President’s political party, PDP-Laban, “will be in support of Velasco.” There are a total of 65 House members belonging to the country’s political party.

“I am sure hindi hihiway ang mga political chieftains kay Presidente,” he added.

The National People’s Coalition, which has 35 members in the Lower House, is also said to be backing Velasco as speaker.

Atienza stressed that majority of pro-administration lawmakers were dismayed by Cayetano’s continued refusal to honor the term-sharing agreement for the speakership, which many viewed as an open defiance of the President’s will.

“The President was clear in his statement that he wants the term-sharing honored by both camps. That was what the President said, so honor your word,” Atienza reminded Cayetano.

Aside from the Nacionalista Party where the Cayetano belongs, the Speaker is currently supported by the 43-member National Unity Party (NUP), headed by Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga.

However, Atienza said the NUP “may end up in the minority” once Velasco takes over the Speakership.

“May paglalagyan si Cayetano,” he added. (CMC)

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)