(Eagle News) — Majority of lawmakers, 186, on Monday, Oct. 12, moved to declare the position of House Speaker vacant in a gathering of congressmen a day before the scheduled special session at the House of Representatives that will tackle the proposed 2021 National Budget.
The gathering of lawmakers happened outside the session hall of Congress, at the Celebrity Sports Plaza, but was attended by lawmakers who are allies of Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco .
With the move declaring the House Speaker vacant, and thus ousting House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, several lawmakers then moved to nominate Marinduque Rep. Velasco as Speaker of the House.
Voting is still ongoing as of posting time, with several lawmakers including Mindoro Oriental Rep. Doy Leachon, and Albay Rep. Joey Salceda nominating Velasco to replace Cayetano.
While the lawmakers are voting, Cayetano went live on his Facebook account explaining his side, and questioning the ongoing House Session that ousted him as speaker.
He said that the voting of lawmakers done outside the Batasan Pambansa Complex was invalid, and claimed that he has the numbers to remain as House Speaker.
-Velasco takes his “oath” as new Speaker-
After the voting by allies of Rep. Velasco outside the session hall, Velasco took his oath as House Speaker and asked that Cayetano work with him for the “peaceful transition” of the House leadership for the sake of the nation.
(Eagle News Service)