Two solons lose leadership posts amid reports of coup vs. Cayetano

Two House members on Monday lost their leadership positions amid the rumors of a coup against Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab has been removed as chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and replaced by ACT-CIS party-list Representative Eric Go Yap.

Oriental Mindoro Representative Salvador Leachon has been stripped of his leadership position at the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal after Kabayan party-list Representative Ron Salo was elected to the position.

Yap was the chair of the House Committee on Games and Amusement.

Following his election to a different committee, Abra Representative Joseph Sto. Niño Bernos has been elected to replace him.

Cavite Representative Boying Remulla made the nominations on the floor. No House member objected to his nominations.

Yap admitted that it was only early Monday when he was informed that he would be installed as chair of the House appropriations panel.

"Kanina, pagpunta ko, kinausap ako ni Speaker tungkol sa trabaho, sa responsibility. Ang akin kasi, ako ay nagtatrabaho lang dito. Kung ano ang inutos sa akin, gagawin ko lang," Yap said in an interview with reporters.

"Nung pinakiusapan ako dito sa Appro na ako ang ilalagay dito, yung challenges siguro gagampanan lang natin, nagta-trabaho lang po," he added.

Yap said that despite being a neophyte lawmaker, he believes that he has the experience to lead such a powerful committee in the chamber.

"Feeling ko hindi naman kasi pagdating naman sa experience, nakapagsubok naman tayo ng bicam. Nagawa naman natin yung participation nung bicam. Pero siyempre normal naman sa tao maiisip nila yun. Pero ang akin siguro, mas mapapatunayan ko ito sa trabaho," he said.

Ungab, meanwhile, accepted the decision of his fellow lawmakers regarding his chairmanship post.

"I believe that the only guide to a man is his conscience, and the truth will always prevail no matter what," he said in a statement.

"I have served my country and people well to the utmost of my ability. I accept my fate and so be it," he added.—NB/LDF, GMA News