Former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s prominent ally, Camarines Sur Representative Luis Raymund Villafuerte, has been removed as Deputy Speaker. His successor, the congressman who was previously removed from the same position.
When Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco replaced Cayetano as the new Speaker, Villafuerte was removed as deputy speaker and was replaced by 1-PACMAN party-list Rep. Mikee Romero.
Just a few weeks ago, while Cayetano and Velasco’s collision was taking place, Romero was removed from his position as deputy speaker. Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro replaced him.
Villafuerte has not yet issued a statement regarding the matter.
Meanwhile, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Salvador Leachon, also an ally of Velasco, acted as the senior deputy speaker.
Leanchon replaced Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, who was appointed chairman of the House committee on account, the committee that handles the funds of the House of Representatives.
Simultaneously, on the motion of DIWA party-list Representative Michael Aglipay, approved by the congressmen, Castro’s speech on September 22, which criticized Velasco’s allies, was removed from the House records.
Romero replaces Villafuerte as deputy speaker
In his Facebook Live video on Wednesday, Cayetano mentioned “word of honor” because some lawmakers allegedly want to remove the congressmen who support him.
“There are now some of your people na gustong mang-bengga, talking to some of our people na magpalit na lang, umalis na lang, pati kwarto kinukuha,” Cayetano said.
“Let’s not do that, let’s all focus sa budget and as I promised you, kahit tingnan ninyo yung text ko sa ating mga tagasuporta, ‘Please support the new leadership, please get the budget passed,'” he added.
Meanwhile, Romero said Wednesday that former House Speaker Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano did not resign but was ousted.
Cayetano filed his “irrevocable resignation” as House speaker through a Facebook Live video just minutes after Lord Allan Jay Velasco was proclaimed as the new House Speaker.
“I would like to refute this statement. 186 lawmakers elected Lord Allan Velasco as Speaker. He was ousted as Speaker of the House,” Romero said in an ANC interview.
“He did not resign. For what purpose? He was already ousted a day before. These are facts,” Romero added.