Manila Bulletin
Atienza says Duterte call for Congress special session repudiates Alan Peter
House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano called a caucus for the majority bloc to prioritize the passing of the 2021 national budget during special sessions, assuring President Duterte of his respect for the call for the session.
The special session was convened by President Duterte after the House of Representatives abruptly suspended its session amidst a speakership dispute between Cayetano and Representative Lord Allan Velasco.
Buhay party-list Representative Lito Atienza believes Duterte's call for a special session "strongly rebuffed" Cayetano, whom Atienza accused of "sabotaging" the term-sharing agreement.
Atienza stated that Cayetano's actions have become an "embarrassment and liability" to the President, and that Cayetano has "betrayed" and "double-crossed" the President and House members.
According to Atienza, Cayetano abruptly suspended sessions until November 16, which he deems "highly irregular" and has "imperiled the passage of the budget bill," purportedly because Cayetano does not want to step down as Speaker on October 14.
Atienza further alleged that Cayetano "shamelessly reneged" on his promise to step down as Speaker after 15 months to give way to Velasco.
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President Rodrigo Duterte certified the proposed P4.506-trillion national budget for 2021 as urgent, calling for a special session of Congress from October 13 to 16 to ensure continuous government operations, strengthen the COVID-19 response, and support economic recovery.
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Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon proposed a special session from November 9 to 13 for the approval of the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021.
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President Rodrigo Duterte felt betrayed and "duped" by Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano's actions to retain his position, contrary to their term-sharing agreement.
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President Rodrigo Duterte warned Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Representative Lord Allan Velasco to resolve their leadership dispute and ensure the timely passage of the P4.5-trillion national budget.
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President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his frustration with the speakership row in the House of Representatives, emphasizing that his main priority is the swift approval of the 2021 national budget.
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