MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte will not need to step down from his position as presidential son and Davao City representative Paolo Duterte assured his father he has no plans of becoming a House of Representatives speaker.
Paolo on Monday said he has no plans to join the speakership race for the 18th Congress.
“I did not say that I want to be a Speaker (of the House),” Paolo said. “May nagkamali na naman ng bulong sa tenga mo, Mr. President.”
The President threatened to step down if Paolo throws his hat in the race to be the next Speaker of the House as it would not look good if most of his family members were in politics.
“Itong si Paolo, sabihin ko sa kanya, if you run for speakership, let me know. Kasi kung tatakbo ka, magre-resign ako,” Duterte said in a speech at Malacañang on Monday.
“If he insists on running, maniwala siya sa mga advisers niya, go ahead. Let me know three days in advance before you make the announcement and I will tender my resignation,” he added.
At least four representatives-elect expressed desire to vie for the speakership race with Marinduque representative Lord Allan Velasco, Leyte representative Ferdinand Romualdez, Taguig representative Alan Cayetano, and former House speaker and Davao del Norte representative Pantaleon Alvarez. /PN
