Paolo Duterte to dad Digong: I don't want to be Speaker

Davao City Representative-elect Paolo Duterte, President Rodrigo Duterte's son, has denied reports that he is seeking to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Paolo issued the statement after his father said that he would be willing to resign his post as Chief Executive if Paolo will join the Speakership race for the 18th Congress.

“I did not say that I want to be a Speaker [of the House],” Paolo said.

“May nagkamali na naman [ng] bulong sa tenga mo, Mr. President,” Paolo added.

At least four representatives-elect have expressed desire to vie for the Speakership: Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, Leyte Representative-elect Ferdinand Romualdez, Taguig Representative-elect Alan Cayetano, former Speaker and Davao del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez.

Velasco and Alvarez belong to ruling party PDP-Laban chaired by the President.

Romualdez is from Lakas while Cayetano is from Nacionalista Party (NP). Lakas and NP both have alliances with regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago chaired by Paolo's sister and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

The Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) has said last week that Sara has already asked the NPC to support the speakership bid of Velasco.

Sara, who President Duterte said was crucial in overthrowing Alvarez from the Speakership in last July, has rejected Alvarez's overtures of reconciliation, accusing Alvarez of aiming to embarrass her.

Five months prior to Alvarez's ouster as Speaker, Sara called out Alvarez for being supposedly arrogant as he bragged to local allies that he can oust President Duterte if he wants to in his capacity as Speaker.

Alvarez has denied this.

Sara also said that Cayetano has threatened to break the administration coalition if Sara won't support his bid for Speaker.

As for Paolo's speakership bid, Sara had said that the topic should be discussed with her father since he is the President. —JST, GMA News