Velasco: Oathtaking before Duterte meant to show House’s ‘full support’ for admin

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Wednesday said he took his oath as Speaker before President Rodrigo Duterte to show him that the House of Representatives fully supports his administration's agenda.

"The reason why nag-oath tayo is to be able to show the President ang full support ng Congress sa kanyang mga plans and programs para sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan," Velasco said in an interview.

"Ito ay aming pakita lang sa kanya na we are in full support and cooperation sa kanyang mga plano para sa bansa," he added.

Velasco took his oath before the President on Monday, his 43rd birthday and about a month after he was elected Speaker of the House, replacing Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano.

A total of 186 lawmakers elected Velasco as Speaker on October 12 in a remote session held at Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City. He took his oath before Allan Franza, barangay captain of Matandang Balara.

The next day, his election was ratified by 186 lawmakers in a session conducted at the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa Complex.

Velasco thanked Duterte anew for ensuring that the term-sharing agreement was fulfilled.

He vowed to pay it forward by carrying out the President's legislative agenda in Congress.

“I assure the President that he can rely on Congress to help him fulfill his promises to our people before his term ends in 2022,” he said.

Likewise, Velasco said he would exert all efforts to ensure a "stronger, inclusive and united House" under this leadership.

“We will work together in Congress to pass laws that are timely and responsive to the needs of our countrymen and to make the lower chamber truly the House representing the people,” he said. — BM, GMA News