Salceda: Paolo's breakfast meet with solons may hurt Cayetano's chances

The election for the next Speaker may not end the way President Rodrigo Duterte wanted it to be, as Davao City Representative and son of the chief executive Paolo is calling for a breakfast meeting with congressmen hours before they open the First Regular Session of the 18th Congress on Monday.

Albay Representative Joey Salceda on Sunday hinted that the breakfast meeting with Paolo may hurt Taguig City Representative Alan Peter Cayetano's chances to become Speaker,  despite the President's endorsement.

In a Super Radyo dzBB interview, Salceda expressed concern about the possible outcome of the planned breakfast meeting, especially that at least 180 lawmakers have signed up to join.

Paolo earlier hinted at a possible "coup" on the day of the election for the Speaker, which could mean Cayetano would not be able to secure the post.

But Cayetano said Paolo accepted last Friday the offer for deputy speaker for political affairs in their meeting.

"Definitely, kahit sino man ang Speaker na uupo, he needs a direct line to the President. Kumbaga yung clear line would be the son," Salceda said.

"Kung gusto mong madala ang concern ng distrito mo to the attention of the national government especially to the President, given that may over-concentration of powers and resources sa ating Pangulo, definitely no congressman can afford to disregard that direct line to the President," he added.

The breakfast meeting is set at 8 a.m. at the House's South Lounge, which according to Salceda is just about 10 steps away from the plenary hall. He said Cayetano is also attending Paolo's breakfast meeting.

"Hindi ka magpapatawag ng breakfast if you're just getting to know them," Salceda said.

"Hindi na siguro kailangan pang pagdebatihan, may impluwensya siya [Paolo]. So kung may impluwensya siya, may responsibilidad siya. So I think he is accepting that he has a responsibility in the years of his influence as a member of the House and as a son of the President," he added.

Salceda said that after the breakfast meeting, a "dark horse" to the Speaker race may come out and change the game.

"I would say na front-running pa rin si Cayetano. Pero tomorrow morning, baka may dark horse," he said.

"May aabangan tayo bukas, definitely, kung Polong can pull it. Nasabi na rin ni Presidente na hindi naman siya magagalit kung iba ang boto sa sinabi niya. Kung hindi na lang sana nasabi yun edi sana tapos na ang boxing. Akala ko knockout na nang Round 1, 12-round bout pala ito," he added.

On the other hand, Cayetano will also have his own breakfast meeting with congressmen after he attends the one with Paolo.

Apart from this, Salceda said Cayetano also called for a meeting at 4 p.m. later to discuss the scenario of their voting for Speaker during Monday's session. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News