Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was elected Speaker of the House Monday, replacing Davao del Norte Pantaleon Alvarez in a power play that delayed President Rodrigo Duterte’s third State of the Nation Address Monday.
In a plenary session, Monday night after the SONA, Deputy Speaker and Capiz Rep. Fred Castro announced the election of Arroyo by a vote of 184-12. Arroyo, who is the first female speaker, took her oath before leaders of various political parties.
Ang Kabuhayan party-list Rep. Dennis Laoagan—being the youngest House member—administered the oath.
At the evening session, Nueva Ecija Rep. Magnolia Antonino moved to declare all seats vacant. Deputy Speaker and Batangas Rep. Raneo Abu followed by nominating Arroyo as the new Speaker.
A total of 238 lawmakers attended the session, which was intended to formalize Arroyo’s election in a rump session before the SONA.
Alvarez and his supporters, including Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, did not attend the session. The evening session, however, was held without the ceremonial mace, the symbol of the House leadership’s authority to transact business.
Earlier in the day, lawmakers allied with Alvarez adjourned the session to forestall his ouster, but the maneuver also meant the House failed to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in time for the President to sign it ahead of his address.
However, House members returned to the session hall again by early afternoon, and passed around and signed a manifesto calling for Alvarez’s removal as Speaker.
In the afternoon, Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya started speaking as guests attending the SONA were gathering.
Andaya objected to the adjournment at noon and continued to speak even after his microphone was suddenly cut.
A total of 238 lawmakers attended the session, which was intended to formalize Arroyo’s election in a rump session before the SONA.
Alvarez and his supporters, including Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, did not attend the session.
The evening session, however, was held without the ceremonial mace, the symbol of the House leadership’s authority to transact business.
Earlier in the day, lawmakers allied with Alvarez adjourned the session to forestall his ouster, but the maneuver also meant the House failed to ratify the Bangsamoro Organic Law in time for the President to sign it ahead of his address.
However, House members returned to the session hall again by early afternoon, and passed around and signed a manifesto calling for Alvarez’s removal as Speaker.
In the afternoon, Deputy Speaker Rolando Andaya started speaking as guests attending the SONA were gathering.
Andaya objected to the adjournment at noon and continued to speak even after his microphone was suddenly cut.
A video feed in the media room showed lawmakers allied with Arroyo gathered around Andaya. Davao City 1st District Rep. Karlo Nograles then appeared to be calling the roll, with more and more lawmakers standing.
Several of Arroyo’s allies also started surrounding as she calmly sat on her chair. Soon, lawmakers clapped their hands. Arroyo was then escorted up the podium, where she took her oath.
But it was still Alvarez who greeted the President, together with Senate President Vicente Sotto III and other legislators when the Chief Executive arrived at the Batasan Complex.
It took more than an hour for President Duterte and Alvarez to discuss the Arroyo’s election.
Arroyo declined to make a statement on her election, but sources close to the former president said she thanked her colleagues for their trust and support and vowed to carry out the administration’s legislative agenda.
Earlier, Andaya presented a manifesto of support for Arroyo that was signed by at last 161 lawmakers.
The manifesto called for the formation of a new coalition to endorse and support the election of Arroyo as Speaker.
“We believe that as the Duterte administration has reached the mid-point of its term, now more than at any point, there is a need to support the administration with a pro-active legislative agenda that will safeguard the nation’s economic growth and secure the safety our people,” the lawmakers said in the manifesto.
Deputy Speaker and Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo tagged Davao Del Norte Rep. Antonio Floirendo, Jr. and Camarines Sur and Rep. Rolando Andaya as among the House members behind the plot to unseat Alvarez.
Alvarez had filed a graft suit against Floirendo in March 2017 after their relationship was strained by a spat between their girlfriends.
Floirendo on Monday denied being behind Alvarez’s ouster.
House rules provide that a change of leadership will happen when a House member files motion to declare all seats vacant at any time in the plenary session.
The House is made up of 292 lawmakers. A candidate for Speaker needs a simple majority vote to secure the post. The candidate who will receive the second most number of votes automatically becomes the minority leader. At least 145 House members are needed to remove the Speaker.
The first to sign the manifesto was Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez of Quezon, a staunch Arroyo ally; and Buhay party-list Rep. Lito Atienza, also a member of the Suarez’s minority bloc.
“We believe furthermore, that as many critical issues involving the future structure and framework if our government will need to be discussed very soon, a credible and competent House leadership will be needed to guide and steer the national debate towards a resolution of these pending issues that will strengthen the republic in the years to come,” they said.
The lawmakers who signed the manifesto said the nation “will benefit from the experience, competence sobriety, stead and unifying leadership” of Arroyo, a former president.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Monday said any possible change in leadership in the House of Representatives should not affect the chamber’s working relationship with the Senate.
“All we have to do is follow our job description and do our job well, we all get along well with each other,” Sotto said.
He also said he would have no problem dealing with Mrs. Arroyo, who appointed him to the Dangerous Drugs Board when she was still President. With Macon Ramos-Araneta
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