Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco on Tuesday said he expected Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano to honor and respect the term-sharing agreement that President Rodrigo Duterte brokered between the two congressmen.
“Actually, even if the President does not give [any further instruction on the term-sharing agreement], we’ve already come to an agreement since it’s a gentleman’s agreement,” Velasco told reporters.
As much as possible, Velasco said he does not want to comment anymore on the speakership issue so as to give Cayetano “free reign” at the House. He said he is focused on his legislative function as ordinary House member and as chairman of the House committee on energy.
“I am just waiting for the 15 months to finish, and then I will start my assumption as the next Speaker of the House,” he said.
Under the term-sharing agreement brokered by the President, Cayetano is supposed to step down after 15 months to give way to Velasco, who will hold the Speakership until the end of the Duterte administration.
Velasco is supposed to assume the Speakership in October 2020.
Cayetano earlier hinted he would like to retain his post until 2022, and that he will consult the President on whether or not to relinquish the post to Velasco.
Velasco said he does not want to entertain questions on ‘what ifs” on the speakership’s term-sharing agreement.
“Let us wait until we get there,” he said.
“At the end of the day, I know for a fact that it’s a gentleman’s agreement. Definitely, when the 15 months is already due, I believe Speaker Alan Cayetano will step down and hand the speakership to me,” he added.