Velasco claims being 'ostracized' during Cayetano speakership

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Tuesday claimed that he was "ostracized" during the term of former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, his rival to the highest position at the House of Representatives.

Velasco made the admission during an online interview with Daily Tribune more than a week after he was elected to become the new Speaker at the chamber.

"Actually para talagang in-ostracize ako. Sorry to say that," Velasco said when asked about his relationship with Cayetano before their speakership row blew up.

"I was kept in one corner lang talaga to be honest," he added.

Velasco, for one, cited an instance where Cayetano supposedly called House members for a gathering, but he was the only lawmaker who was not invited.

Despite this, the new House Speaker said he would not do the same to Cayetano.

"I'm really not that type of person. Forgiving naman po tayo," he said, adding that Cayetano has already asked for his apology.

GMA News Online has reached out to Cayetano's camp for his response.

Velasco earlier offered his "healing hand" to Cayetano after their tense speakership row.

"Yung nilalabas ko na healing hand kay Speaker Cayetano na kanina nag-usap na kami sa harap ni Pangulo, kami ay nagkasundo, nagkabati na po," he told his fellow lawmakers in a speech last Tuesday.

"And I am also that healing hand for all those na hindi masyado tayong nagkaintindihan," he added.

Cayetano resigned from the speakership on Tuesday last week after the House ratified the election of Velasco as Speaker.—AOL, GMA News