MANILA – The administration-backed Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) endorsed Marinduque representative Lord Allan Velasco as the next speaker of the House of Representatives.
Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao announced in a press conference at his United States home on Wednesday the party’s endorsement for Velasco, who was also the bet of Presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio.
“I am therefore announcing the endorsement and support of PDP-Laban for Congressman Lord Allan Velasco as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the full term of the 18th Congress,” Pacquiao said.
The Filipino boxer turned politician also said the next Speaker should come from PDP-Laban because it has around 200 members in the House, the highest among the blocs.
Pacquiao, who was designated by PDP-Laban president Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel to announce the endorsement, added that President Rodrigo Duterte had a difficulty in choosing the new House Speaker.
Malacañang said Duterte is keeping his hands off the House speakership race and is “comfortable” to work with any lawmaker who would secure the post given that the top contenders are all allied with the administration.
“The Chief Executive would rather focus on the business of governance rather than play politics and ruffle the feelings of those outside of his preferred choice,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
“President Duterte is confident that the next Lower House leader would shepherd his legislative agenda for the nation’s best interest and the people’s general welfare,” he added.
Velasco was chosen over other House Speaker aspirants Leyte Rep. Elect Martin Romualdez, former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez of Davao Del Norte, and Duterte’s losing running mate in the 2016 elections, Taguig representative Alan Peter Cayetano.
Velasco’s victory is cast in the stone as he has the support of 60 PDP-Laban congressman, 39 from Nationalist People’s Coalition, 12 from Liberal Party, 15 from Nacionalista Party, 15 from National Unity Party, 45 party-list representatives and 25 independent members./PN
