Duterte needs time to decide on choice for next House Speaker

President Rodrigo Duterte's choice for the next House Speaker may take some time due to tons of paper work as he is also taking his time to make the tough decision.

"House Speaker… Look I just came from Bangkok. Nagpatong ang trabaho ko. I have to go home because I have to work," Duterte told reporters when he attended the gala premiere of the movie, "Kontradiksyon" at SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City on Monday.

"I have so many papers to sign. Maybe when I sit for a --- in the bathroom and begin to ponder, I might decide on what to do," he added.

Meanwhile, a source, who is familiar with the situation but does not have authority to speak on the matter, said that the President can’t seem to pick one of his allies.

“Sa totoo lang, ayaw niya talaga makialam. Lahat competent, magagaling, lahat qualified to become Speaker. Ayaw niya talaga pumili. Nahihirapan siya pumili,” the source said.

“Gusto nila si Presidente ang mamili para makapagtrabaho na sila even before SONA (State of the Nation Address) makapagtrabaho na sila. Kapag ‘di nag endorse si Presidente, Kongreso ang pipili. Kaya gusto nila ibalik kay Presidente,” the source added.

The three leading contenders for the speakership include: Taguig Representative-elect Alan Cayetano, Marinduque Representative Lord Velasco and Leyte Representative-elect Martin Romualdez.

“Puro kaibigan, qualified, kaalyado. Ayaw niya tlga nila pumili,” the source said. — Virgil Lopez, Llanesca Panti/BAP, GMA News