Cayetano resigns as Speaker

Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday tendered his irrevocable resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Cayetano made the announcement in a Facebook Live video as House members were ratifying the election of Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco as his replacement.

“Verbally, I am tendering my irrevocable resignation as the speaker of the House,” Cayetano said.

“Pakiusap ko sa aking mga kasama, 3 o clock [p.m.], elect your new Speaker and pass the budget,” he added, referring to the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 that will be tackled as the chamber starts its special session Tuesday.

Cayetano, however, assured the public that he remains supportive of President Rodrigo Duterte and apologized for suspending the session last October 6 with the the budget bill still unapproved.

Such suspension of session until November 16 prompted Duterte to issue a proclamation calling for a special session from October 13 to 16 to pave the way to budget approval on third and final reading.

“I made a mistake, I misunderstood that you want me to finish the budget. Humihingi ako ng paumanhin, hindi ko intensiyon na hindi ka sundin,” Cayetano said.

“Sa aking staff, I apologize that I was not able to talk to you personally. Magbalot-balot na kayo riyan sa opisina para wala silang masabi sa atin. We will be okay, and we will continue to help our people. Hindi tayo magiging balakid,” he added. —KBK, GMA News