MANILA – After speaking with his father, Davao City representative Paolo Duterte said he is backing out from the House of Representatives speakership.
Paolo on Saturday said he decided to back out from the House speakership after he spoke with President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday in Davao City.
“We both agreed that this will not be the right time for me to be a Speaker and I can still help his administration from the House in a different capacity,” Paolo said.
Paolo added he would instead throw his support on his fellow Davaoeño lawmaker Isidro Ungab as both of them were affiliated with Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago .
“The President has also been fully informed of representative Ungab’s participation in the race for the next Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Paolo said.
Paolo last Tuesday said he might seek the House leadership due to the ongoing rifts among those who are vying for the coveted seat.
“The House is divided. I might be able to help unite it. Pareho lang kaming binoto ng mga tao ah. Kung term sharing, term sharing na kaming lahat,” Paolo said.
Duterte earlier discouraged Paolo from joining the speakership, threatening to resign from presidency if the latter chose to seek the House top post./PN
