Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7) — The House of Representatives on Tuesday removed former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab as deputy speakers.
They were replaced by Isabela Rep. Antonio “Tonypet” Albano and Lanao del Sur Rep. Yasser Alonto Balindong.
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said Arroyo and Ungab were the only deputy speakers who did not sign a resolution intended to defuse threats against the lower chamber.
\”The House leadership, in its collective capacity and after careful deliberation, has made the decision to relieve Deputy Speakers Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Isidro Ungab of their leadership positions,\” Dalipe said in a statement.
\”This decision stems from the fact that out of the nine Deputy Speakers, only Deputy Speakers Macapagal-Arroyo and Ungab chose not to sign a pivotal House resolution sponsored by the entire leadership,\” the House leader added.
During the resumption of session Monday following a month-long break, the lower chamber adopted House Resolution 1414 authored by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. in the wake of the criticism from former President Rodrigo Duterte.
READ: Dong Gonzales resigns from PDP-Laban over ex-Pres. Duterte’s ‘rotten’ remark vs. House
Duterte branded the House as the “most rotten institution” in the country after secret funds of offices led by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, were transferred to agencies focusing on national security.
The resolution sought to uphold “the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives and expressing appreciation, solidarity, and support to the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.”
READ: House rallies behind Romualdez after ex-Pres. Duterte’s tirades
“By choosing not to sign the resolution, Deputy Speakers Macapagal-Arroyo and Ungab have demonstrated that their perspectives differ from the collective stance of the leadership,” Dalipe said.
Ungab, a friend of the vice president, said he accepts the decision of the House leadership “without any rancor nor bitterness” and stressed that he supports the current administration.
“Despite my removal, I remain supportive of this administration, believing in its program of government, as I have also helped in the campaign last year, in the belief that it can bring a better hope and future for the Filipino people,” he said in a statement.
Ungab also said that he will step down from his post assured that he performed his duties well.
“I have been in Congress long enough to understand the dynamics and interpersonal relations among its members,” said the Davao lawmaker.
Last May, Gonzales replaced Arroyo as senior deputy speaker following rumors that the former president was linked to an alleged ouster plot against Romualdez. Arroyo has denied the rumors.
