Velasco allies threaten to declare speakership vacant

Allies of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco are threatening to declare the speakership vacant if Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano does not step down after October 14, as per a term-sharing agreement.

Rep. Sharon Garin, supporting Velasco, stated that they will ask Cayetano to respect the gentleman's agreement for a 15-21 sharing of the speakership, and then declare the position vacant.

This date was chosen by Cayetano, Velasco, and President Duterte for the incumbent speaker to give up the post to honor the agreement reached last year.

Garin emphasized that the President's instruction was to pass the budget on time and honor the term-sharing agreement, questioning whether the House wished to oppose the President.

She warned that defying the President indicated a desire for a Speaker who is part of the opposition.

The Velasco camp did not take seriously last Wednesday's vote on Cayetano's speakership after he offered to resign but his allies quickly blocked the move.