Cayetano denies seeking speakership ‘reward’ for ABS-CBN rejection

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday vehemently denied a report that he allegedly asked President Rodrigo Duterte to let him stay at the helm of the House of Representatives as a "reward" for the franchise panel's denial of ABS-CBN's franchise bid.

In an interview with reporters, Cayetano dared those who made such accusations to come out and take a lie detector test with him to see who was telling the truth.

"Hundred percent false. Kung sino man ang gustong mag-accuse, eye-to-eye, mag-lie detector test tayo, at kung sino ang matalo sa lie detector test ay tumigil na sa kanyang profession," he said.

Cayetano maintained that he did not make a deal with the President to let him stay at his post until the end of the 18th Congress as there was a term-sharing agreement between him and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco.

The two lawmakers agreed before the start of the 18th Congress that Cayetano would hold the speakership for 15 months and Velasco would take over to finish the next 21 months.

Cayetano speakership term will reach its 15th month this October.

"Wala kaming usapan ng Pangulo about staying, wala kaming usapan ng Pangulo na any reward or whatever sa ABS-CBN. Ang commitment ko lang sa kanya was to have a fair hearing, and then to decide kung ano ang best sa ating bansa," Cayetano said.

"And on that point, I know we disagree with many points with many of our people, but it was done as a matter of principle sa maraming miyembro," he added.

A total of 70 members of the House franchise committee voted to adopt the resolution of the technical working group it created recommending the denial of ABS-CBN's franchise application.

ABS-CBN went off the air on May 5 after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease and desist against the network after its previous franchise expired the day before. — DVM, GMA News