Lawmakers urge Cayetano to continue as House Speaker

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano is facing pressure to honor a term-sharing agreement with Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, set to expire next month.

Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza urged Cayetano to step down as per the original deal brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

However, at least 18 lawmakers support Cayetano continuing his tenure due to improved House performance during the pandemic.

Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte stated that a supermajority of congressmen want Cayetano to remain Speaker, citing better ratings and productivity under his leadership.

Despite Duterte's hope for the agreement to be honored, he acknowledged that he cannot intervene if the majority of lawmakers prefer Cayetano to stay.