INFIGHTING in the ruling party Lakas-CMD is apparently the reason for the sudden removal of Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo as House senior deputy speaker on Wednesday night.
Arroyo has been tight-lipped on her demotion from senior deputy speaker to a regular deputy speaker and only said yesterday that it was the “prerogative” of the leadership of the House of Representatives.
Arroyo’s demotion came amid talks she could be moving to oust Speaker Martin Romualdez to reclaim her post in the 18th Congress, which she after a coup against then Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Late yesterday, various political parties that are part of the majority coalition released statements affirming their support for Romualdez’ leadership.
The former president is chairman emeritus of Lakas-CMD party. She is a known close ally of Vice President Sara Duterte who helped her secure the speaker’s post in 2018.
Romualdez, a cousin of President Marcos Jr., now heads Lakas-CMD as party president.
Arroyo declined to further comment on her demotion which majority leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe said was meant to unburden the former president of the many responsibilities required of the position of senior deputy speaker.
The position was given to another Pampanga lawmaker, Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr.
“The House of Representatives has elected Deputy Speaker Aurelio ‘Dong’ Gonzales, Jr. as senior deputy speaker to unburden his `cabalen,’ former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, of the heavy load required from the position,” Dalipe said in a statement.
He did not say which particular responsibilities have been a burden to Arroyo, whose health once declined years ago because of a problem in her cervical spine, from which she eventually recovered from.
Among the political parties that released statements of support for Romualdez’ leadership is the Nacionalista Party (NP).
Through its spokeswoman, deputy speaker Cammille Villar, the NP said it “expresses its unequivocal support to the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez of the House of Representatives as we remain fully committed to the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to its vision of a united and prosperous nation.”
Surigao del Norte Robert Ace Barbers, an NP stalwart, reiterated the party’s “strong support to the leadership of Speaker Romualdez who is deeply committed to the well-being and progress of our nation.”
“The party is impressed by Speaker Romualdez’ integrity being a strong and decisive leader with an understanding and compassionate heart for the people. At the same time, we also reiterate our full support to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., whose 8-point Socio-Economic Agenda guides our work as legislators,” Barbers said.
The NP also congratulated Gonzales on his election as senior deputy speaker, saying he “is one of our reliable and diligent partners in the House of Representatives and a great addition to the working force of our hard-working Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.”
The PDP-Laban party, in a separate statement released by Alvarez, also congratulated Gonzales, the party’s national treasurer, saying it is a “recognition of our partymates’ invaluable contribution to the unprecedented work that the House has accomplished less than a year in our term.”
The party also reiterated that “we remain firmly committed to the supermajority formed by Speaker Martin Romualdez in the House of Representatives as part of our continuing efforts to help bring about the reforms needed to propel the country to greater heights.”
“We continue to work hand in hand and in close partnership with Speaker Martin Romualdez, who have mobilized a multi-partisan coalition in the House of Representatives to help President Marcos deliver his commitment to our people. The election of Rep Gonzales show the strong ties and cooperation between the Speaker’s party Lakas CMD and PDP Laban in serving the Filipino people,” it said.
The PDP-Laban said it remains “in full support of the administration of President Marcos, Jr. and the leadership of Speaker Romualdez as we all vow to ramp up our efforts to boost the economy post-pandemic and to improve the living condition of the Filipino people.”
Even House minority leader Marcelino Libanan issued a statement backing the Romualdez leadership. “We reiterate our full support to the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez who has ably steered the House in delivering unprecedented accomplishments less than a year in our terms,” he said.
Libanan also said “Gonzales will be a huge asset to the House leadership in his new capacity.”
“He will be able to work closely with the minority bloc in overseeing the passage of legislative reforms that are needed to sustain the country’s economic recovery and improve the quality of life of every Filipino family,” he said.
