President Rodrigo Duterte met with some of the candidates
for the House Speakership race during his four-day trip to Japan.
In photos posted by Senator-elect Christopher
"Bong" Go on his Facebook page, the President was spotted with
Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, returning Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, and
incoming Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano.
Aside from the three candidates, reelected Davao del Norte
1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales,
incoming Antique Rep. Loren Legarda are also eyeing the post. Meanwhile, the
President’s son, incoming Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, has
quashed rumors that he will run for Speaker. The President also threatened to
resign if he gunned for the speakership.
Duterte previously said he will not endorse any candidate
vying for the speakership — a key position leading up to the 2022 presidential
elections.
"Sa speakership, wala akong kinakampihan," he said
in a speech on May 27.
Malacañang said that it is all up to the House to pick its
next leader.
Source: CNN Philippines
