Nancy Binay wants to 'order' word of honor as speakership row seethes

Senator Nancy Binay is looking for "palabra de honor" or word of honor amidst controversy over a "gentleman's agreement," which President Rodrigo Duterte had brokered to settle House leadership problem several months back.

On Twitter, Binay even dropped a clip of an old commercial advertisement about the importance of instilling palabra de honor among the younger generations.

San kaya pwede mag order ng Palabra De Honor ? Parang ok sya pamigay sa Pasko ???????? pic.twitter.com/g9bM3Gfx0A

— Senator Nancy Binay (@SenatorBinay) October 1, 2020

Binay did not elaborate but "word of honor" has become currency amid the speakership controversy between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco.

Cayetano, during his tenure as Senate Majority Leader, was among those who led an investigation on Binay's father, former Vice President Jejomar Binay, over the alleged overpriced construction of a Makati City parking building.

A year-long probe took place before the 2016 elections where the Binay patriarch lost to Duterte in his presidential bid.

The term-sharing deal is not really binding as its fulfillment solely depends on each party's willingness to keep the "gentleman's agreement."

This prompted Rep. Lito Atienza to appeal to both parties to honor the deal.

"The President was the witness in forging that agreement. He was the third man, and he is the best man now to tell both parties: 'You better follow your commitment. You gave your word of honor, sabi niyo usapang lalaki yan, nagkamay kayo, tuparin niyo,'" Atienza said.

The agreement

Last year, Cayetano and Velasco made a term-sharing agreement wherein the former would be the Speaker for the first 15 months while the latter would take care of the next 21.

As Cayetano's share of the term is about to end this month, a quarrel broke out in the lower house as to whether a change of leadership is apt in the middle of the budget season, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

President Rodrigo Duterte met with the two and Cayetano later offered to resign as Speaker. The House, however, voted to reject his resignation.

Cayetano thanked his colleagues for the "overwhelming show of multi-partisan support."

Velasco, for his part, maintained that Cayetano had promised the President that he would step down on October 14 to honor their agreement.

In a manifesto of support, Cayetano's supporters raised the issue about leadership continuity in the middle of the COVID-19 health crisis, where vital legislations –including the P4.5-trillion 2021 National Budget Bill –are of utmost urgency.

But Velasco insisted the agreement was clear. "The covenant was crystal clear: a 15-21 term-sharing agreement. The first term expires on Sept 30, after which the second term immediately begins. That was the pledge made before the President."

"As true leaders and as examples for our people, both sides are obligated to avoid situations or statements that would subvert the agreement and betray the trust of our people who’ve stood witness to the covenant," he pointed out.

According to Velasco, trust and honor are important values especially amid the health crisis the country is facing. —LBG, GMA News