Velasco open to offering Cayetano deputy speaker post

Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco — "elected" Speaker by his allies in a "session" held outside Batasang Pambansa Complex on Monday — is open to offering a deputy speaker position to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, his rival.

In an interview with reporters, Velasco said he will offer a position to Cayetano that "depends on what position he would want."

"But definitely maybe one of my deputy speakers," he added.

Asked about incumbent Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, Velasco hinted that he might keep his position.

"Like what I said before, the only changes that we made today is the seat of the Speaker. As to Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, I think he has the full support of the House for the majority leadership," he said.

A total of 186 lawmakers "elected" Velasco as Speaker in a gathering at Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City. Prior to the gathering and election, the lawmakers issued a manifesto calling to assemble on Monday and declare the seat of House Speaker vacant.

Cayetano described Velasco's "election" as Speaker as fake as it was conducted illegally outside Batasang Pambansa.

“Ang purpose nila, manggulo. The last time I checked, ang Celebrity Sports Club ay hindi Kongreso. They are throwing the Constitution to waste. Fake session ang ginagawa nila," Cayetano said.

“This is a very disturbing precedent. Sabi nila, basta may quorum. Basta may quorum, they can meet any day and anywhere and do whatever they want? Kung valid 'yan, banana republic na tayo,” he added.

But as far as Velasco is concerned, the speakership issue between him and Cayetano is now over as he was elected by the "majority" of House members.

"Tapos na po ang issue ng speakership today because we have majority of the House members with us," he said.

Velasco has accused Cayetano of reneging to their term-sharing deal, under which Velasco was supposed to take over the leadership of the chamber on October 14.

Cayetano has suspended the House's session until November 16 after passing the proposed 2021 budget on second reading last week. —KBK, GMA News