Cayetano resigns as House Speaker

Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano announced his irrevocable resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives via Facebook Live on October 13, 2020, a day earlier than initially planned.

His resignation came as House members were set to elect Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco as his successor, a move aligned with President Rodrigo Duterte's wish to prioritize the national budget.

Cayetano stated he was stepping down with a "clear conscience" and urged his colleagues to elect a new Speaker, pass the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021, and restore the dignity of Congress.

His resignation was met with mixed reactions, with some colleagues praising it as a "wise" and "honorable" act that would bring stability and facilitate the budget's swift passage.

Others commended his statesmanlike conduct and dynamic leadership, which led to the passage of priority legislation, especially measures to combat COVID-19.

An ally, ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Eric Yap, stated that Cayetano had planned to resign on October 14 to honor the term-sharing agreement on the Speakership and dismissed claims of pressure from President Duterte.