Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 8) — A House leader on Wednesday denied any connection between the deputy speakership reorganization and the 2028 national elections, pointing out that the move was made to protect the legislative chamber.
Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe explained that the expulsion of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rep. Isidro Ungab as deputy speakers was solely because they failed to sign House Resolution (HR) No. 1414, a crucial resolve intended to defuse threats against the House.
\”When a deputy speaker will not sign it, the other members, iba na yung tingin nila,\” Dalipe told CNN Philippines’ Politics As Usual. \”The question is not about loyalty to the speaker, it’s a question of loyalty to the institution, which is the House of Representatives.\”
Passed on Monday, HR 1414 called on lawmakers to uphold the \”integrity and honor of the House of Representatives and [express] appreciation, solidarity, and support for the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez” amid attacks from former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The following day, Arroyo and Ungab – both known Duterte allies – were removed as deputy speakers.
\”When you are in a leadership position, it is expected of you to defend the institution,\” Dalipe said. \”It is normal and expected that the Houe leadership, starting with the speaker, deputy speakers, all with leadership position, should stand by and support the resolution.\”
Dalipe further emphasized that the resolution is nothing but a \”response to the recent attack\” and not related to any upcoming election.
\”Wala kaming iniisip na [We’re not thinking about] 2028 election or even 2025,\” he insisted. \”We are just reacting to a statement that all House members feel na atake sa amin. Masakit eh [that we are under attack. It hurts.] Nothing about 2028.\”
‘We were hurt’
The House being branded as the “most rotten institution” was upsetting, especially coming from a former president, according to Dalipe.
\”The one who issued the statement a few days ago was not any ordinary person,\” he said. \”He was the former president of this republic.\”
\”We have high respects for him,\” Dalipe also said. \”So iba yung dating, nasaktan talaga kami [So it was different, we were hurt].\”
\”[For] a person whom we have respected so much and we have worked together with to call us as such, we really have to stand up and issue a statement and pass House Resolution 1414,\” he added.
Duterte accused the lower chamber of corruption, even calling it the “most rotten institution” in the country, in a TV interview in October after secret funds of offices led by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, were transferred to agencies focusing on national security.
The latest House motions are perceived to be related to potential rivalry between Vice President Duterte and Speaker Romualdez ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
