(Eagle News) — Davao Mayor Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 24, congratulated Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her new post as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“Congratulations to SPGMA. A strong leader,” she said in a text message.
The presidential daughter refused to comment, however, on the change in leadership.
Rumors had it it was the Davao mayor who had a hand in the ouster of Alvarez as Speaker.
The presidential daughter had been engaged in a word war with him over her establishment of a regional party in Davao.
Alvarez had called her a member of the opposition, but she denied this, saying the establishment of the party had her father’s blessing.
Arroyo was elected as Speaker on Monday, July 23, on the same day President Rodrigo Duterte held his third State of the Nation Address.