Velasco calls on Cayetano for a ‘peaceful transition’ of House speakership

Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco on Monday called on Speaker Alan Peer Cayetano to sit down with him to ensure a "peaceful transition" of the speakership of the House of Representatives.

Velasco made the call in his first speech after being 'elected' by his supporters as Speaker in a "session" outside the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

"With this compelling proof that has installed me as Speaker of the House, I would like to extend my hand to Speaker Cayetano and hope that he would be amenable to sit down with me as we comply with the term-sharing agreement for a peaceful transition for the benefit of our members and the country," Velasco said.

A total of 186 lawmakers 'elected' Velasco as Speaker at the Celebrity Sports Plaza Quezon City.

But Cayetano has tagged the "election" of Velasco as the new Speaker as fake, saying the proceedings were conducted illegally outside the Batasang Pambansa to derail the budget deliberations on the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021.

"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 in a news conference.

"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," Cayetano added.

Manifesto

Prior to conducting the gathering and election, the lawmakers issued a manifesto calling to assemble on Monday and declare the seat of the House Speaker vacant.

In his speech, Velasco addressed why he wanted to become Speaker even as the country is faced with a health crisis.

"Why not? The true measure of leadership comes not when things are easy but especially when things are most difficult. Whether famine or feast, poverty or plenty, a leader will always rise to the challenge and respond to the call of service," he said.

"It has been a difficult journey to get to where we are. One fraught with many frustrations and complications. But then, we are all here. And this is a testament to our indomitable spirit and our collective commitment to honoring our word," he added.

Term-sharing

The 'election' of Velasco by his supporters appeared to be a realization of the term-sharing agreement between him and Cayetano brokered no less than by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Under the original term-sharing agreement, Cayetano is expected to hold the speakership for 15 months and Velasco will take over to finish the remaining 21 months.

Velasco committed to pass laws that are responsive to the needs of the Filipinos. He also assured the "timely, legal and constitutional" approval of the proposed P4.5-trillion national budget for next year.

At the same time, Velasco also thanked the President and called him a "man of his word."

"Ako'y nagpapasalamat sa ating mahal na Pangulo... sa mabuting halimbawa and for inspiring young government servants like me na hindi hadlang ang pagiging probinsyano para tayo ay makapagserbisyo," he said.

"This can only happen in the age of Duterte when anything is possible for the benefit of the Filipino people," he added.

Velasco likewise expressed gratitude to Duterte's children, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and Deputy Speaker Paolo Duterte, as well as to Senator Bong Go, a former top aide of the President.

"I accept this once in a lifetime challenge to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 18th Congress. To my fellow Filipinos, I will not let you down, you have my word," he ended.

The 'election' of Velasco also took place a day before the special session of Congress which Duterte also called in order for the House to resume and finish the deliberations on the 2021 national budget. — RSJ, GMA News