NEWS | Alan-Allan feud: Tussle for the House speakership
Tension Blows as Cayetano Holds Position
By Rochel M. Floron IV
As Alan Peter Cayetano’s 15th month as the Speaker of the House of Representatives is nearing its end, the so-called ‘Gentleman’s Promise’ between him and Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco shaken the lower chamber amid the COVID-19 crisis and the deliberation for the 2021 national budget. This squabble for the House leadership left its members dazed while others slammed the seemingly political theatrics. Despite the tension, the Senate and the Palace distanced themselves from the issue.
Breaking the Promise
The ‘Gentlemen’s Promise’ is an agreement between Cayetano and Velasco, as brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte, to share the House speakership destining Cayetano to serve the first 15 months and Velasco for the remaining 21 months.
Although the term-sharing agreement in the Philippine government is not new as it was previously seen in a number of Senate presidencies, there is fear with such covenants since it does not have a legally-binding contract making it relevant only to one’s word.
“It is not only a test of the participants’ word but his or her sense of honor and respect for the chamber. It is bad enough that they have to do a term-sharing, which in my opinion is political patronage at work. They have to at the very least respect the agreement. Not respecting it would further result in a loss of trust for the chamber as a supposed institution of honorable men and women,” University of the Philippines Assistant Professor Jean Franco said.
However, Cayetano and Velasco seem to be both adamant with their positions that even President Duterte himself cannot resolve the conflict. Duterte, during their meeting last September 29, appealed to move the transfer of seat to December but was rejected by the Marinduque representative.
Tit-for-tat
In his privilege speech during the 2021 national budget deliberations last September 30, Cayetano offered his resignation at the plenary which was immediately rejected by the majority with 181–1–9 votes. This marked the start of his verbal retaliations against Velasco, whom he painted as someone who is habitually absent, uncooperative, and subservient to the executive.
Cayetano revealed that Velasco earlier rejected the offer to be his Senior Deputy Speaker. Velasco also allegedly promised Duterte to immediately pass the executive-drafted National Expenditure Program once he assumes the position.
Moreover, Cayetano asserts that they agreed to celebrate his 50th birthday as House Speaker. He remains doubtful that Velasco can secure the speakership and stated that if he does, he will be immediately removed by a plausible coup-d’etat.
Meanwhile, last October 2, Velasco finally broke his silence through a video on his Facebook page denying all of the accusations and retaliating with heavy allegations of political patronage to Cayetano’s camp through the 2021 national budget.
“Budget ba ito para sa bayan o budget para sa tropa mo?… Is this why Speaker Cayetano is trying to blackmail President Duterte and hold the budget hostage if his term is not extended?” Velasco remarked. “Please, I appeal to you [Speaker Cayetano] finish the budget and resign on October 14… Let us show the public that we, as the people’s representatives, are still decent, honorable, and trustworthy leaders, whose only agenda is to serve the people.”
To amplify their support for Velasco, his camp strongly warned that all positions in the House of Representatives will be declared vacant if Cayetano will not step down on October 14.
Lawmakers in confusion
Despite both being affiliated with the President, their colleagues expressed their support for Cayetano as apparent in the 181 objections gathered by his resignation. Most of them raised concerns regarding the possibility of a legislative gridlock that will affect the state’s future response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Capiz Representative Fredenil Castro called for the resignation of Velasco and his supporters if they cannot obey the incumbent speaker.
“There is no shame in admitting defeat at the hands of a better foe, but it is not fitting to pretend to be part of the team while betraying your colleagues and undermining the efforts of Congress,” Castro said in a press briefing.
Meanwhile, Puwersa ng Bayang Atleta (PBA) Partylist Representative Jericho Nograles, walked out of the plenary proceedings during Cayetano’s cry for the term-sharing issue. Nograles thought that the act was somehow absurd as the resignation of a House speaker does not require voting because it is a ‘personal choice’ and not a matter for the body to decide.
“Congress is a collegial body, not a Congress of one person. It’s contrary to his claim that we are a House of the people. How can we be a House for the people if we’re not listening to the people? We’re listening to him. Expect more fireworks if certain people in Congress will not grow up and accept their fate,” Nograles expressed.
On the other hand, the Palace disconnects from the issue, saying that the President only brokered the deal but will not use any force to affect the members of the lower chamber. Its counter chamber, the Senate, also expressed confidence that whoever sits as House Speaker will not be a problem as long as he bears the same principles.
Last October 6, Cayetano moved to terminate plenary debates regarding the fiscal plan and suspended the plenary session 11 days earlier than scheduled. This decision was slammed by some representatives, including Velasco and Buhay Party-list Representative Lito Atienza, who called it Cayetano’s desperate move to hang on to the speakership. However, as ordered by Duterte, Cayetano announced that the House will hold a special session from October 13–16 to resume deliberations and finalize the proposed 2021 national budget.
