Incumbent Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has refused to comment on the endorsements of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for the next leader of the House of Representatives.
In an ambush interview late Sunday night in Bacolod City, Arroyo was asked about her thoughts on the two candidates for district representatives whom Mayor Sara has endorsed to be the next House Speaker, namely former Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez and incumbent Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco.
“I don’t want to comment on the next Congress because I am not going to be a part of it,” Arroyo said in a response.
Mayor Sara, who serves as campaign manager for the administration-allied Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial slate, consecutively endorsed Romualdez and Velasco, the former in Tacloban City while the latter in Tagbilaran City.
Romualdez has earlier announced his interest to become the next Speaker, saying that if he becomes successful in his bid, he would push for the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte.
For his part, Velasco has said there is no frontrunner in the speakership race yet.
“I have an election to win, I need to finish the local campaign, win as Congressman before I run for Speaker…but at the end of the day, Mayor Inday [Sara] supports anyone who is supporting the administration,” Velasco said.
Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News
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