Metro Manila - Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco will be the next Speaker of the House of Representatives starting on Oct. 14, following a meeting with incumbent House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday.
This was according to one of the lawmakers present at the meeting in Malacañang tonight.
Velasco and Cayetano were joined by eight lawmakers each in the meeting.
The meeting came after leaders from the chamber’s majority and minority blocs signed a manifesto expressing their support for Cayetano’s supposed continued term.
In July 2019, Duterte brokered a term-sharing deal between the two, where it was agreed upon that Cayetano will serve for the first 15 months and Velasco taking over as Speaker in the next 21 months.
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino- Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Executive Director Ron Munsayac earlier said in a statement that Velasco’s assumption as House Speaker will mean that the ruling party will finally get a lead in the chamber.
Duterte’s PDP-Laban endorsed Velasco last year for the speakership.
With the latest announcement, Velasco is expected to lead the chamber until the end of 18th Congress in June 2022.
This article first appeared on CNN Philippines
