Duterte exasperated with speakership row, expects allies to pass 2021 budget —Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte has expressed exasperation over the speakership row at the House of Representatives, which threatens to delay the passage of the proposed 2021 national budget, Malacañang said Monday.

Duterte’s spokesperson Harry Roque said the President used the Cebuano word “natagam” to express his regret over the leadership tussle at the House. He also said the President only wants the proposed P4.506-trillion budget to be passed on time.

“Ang pakiusap ni Presidente sa mga mambabatas ngayon na nagtitipon-tipon naman po: isantabi ang pulitika, ipasa po ang budget. I hope that it is clear enough for everyone to understand,” Roque said at a news conference.

“Nadala na po siya dahil walang tigil ang pulitika diyan sa Kamara. Ang gusto lang ng lahat nung mga gusto maging speaker ay kapangyarihan eh paano naman ang bayan?”

The Palace official insisted that the President would not interfere in the leadership battle between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, whose allies had “elected” him as the new House leader on Monday.

“Wala na po siyang pakialam kung ano ang gagawin ng mga mambabatas matapos maipasa ang 2021 budget. To each his own po ‘yan,” Roque said. “Wala pong pinapanigan. May the best man win for the speakership.”

Last Friday, Duterte called Congress to a special session from October 13 to 16 to ensure the speedy passage of the 2021 budget, which contains funds for COVID-19 response and recovery efforts.

Duterte also certified the budget bill as urgent to expedite its passage. —KBK, GMA News