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Duterte tells House not to lose focus on 2021 budget amid squabble
President Rodrigo Duterte urged congressmen to prioritize the 2021 national budget amid a squabble over a term-sharing deal for the speakership.
Duterte, who brokered the term-sharing agreement between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, met with the two.
A deal was reached to honor the gentleman's agreement, with Duterte's request being for the budget to be passed as soon as possible.
Cayetano stated that Duterte's appeal to Velasco was rejected multiple times, despite the provided justifications.
Cayetano stressed the critical importance of passing the 2021 budget on time due to the economic repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He further explained that delaying the budget would significantly impact the government's entire recovery program.
Cayetano offered to quit as speaker, but the majority of congressmen rejected this in a vote.
Cayetano said allies of Velasco were meddling in the speakership because they were aiming for key committee positions.
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Malacañang declared the leadership dispute in the House of Representatives as "over" after a majority of its members rejected Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano's resignation, allowing him to retain his post.
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President Rodrigo Duterte is unlikely to convene another meeting with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco regarding the speakership row.
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Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco urged Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to honor their term-sharing agreement and resign on October 14 after finishing the deliberations on the 2021 national budget.
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President Rodrigo Duterte met with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco on September 29 to discuss the House of Representatives leadership.
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The birthdays of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco were reportedly a factor in the 2019 term-sharing agreement brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte, as both aspired to be Speaker on their respective birthdays.
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