MANILA -- Lawmakers allied with former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo have been circulating a manifesto of support to endorse her as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
It was reported that there are efforts to oust Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and replace him with Arroyo.
As of posting time, it could not be determined how many lawmakers signed the manifesto and who refused to do so.
"We, the elected members of the House of Representatives of the 17th Congress, in the interest of providing a more dynamic legislature attuned with the times and the needs of the people, have formed a coalition, to endorse and support the election of our colleague, REPRESENTATIVE GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, as SPEAKER of the House of Representatives," the manifesto read.
The manifesto stressed that a "credible and competent" House leadership would be needed "to guide and steer the national debate towards a resolution" of critical issues involving the future structure and framework of the government, referring to the proposed federalism shift.
It also noted that a pro-active legislative agenda is also needed to "safeguard the nation's economic growth and secure the safety of our people" as the Duterte administration reaches the mid-point of its term.
"It is in consideration of these grave concerns that we believe, that the House of Representatives, and the nation, will benefit from the experience, competence, sobriety, steady, and unifying leadership of FORMER PRESIDENT and REPRESENTATIVE GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO as SPEAKER of the House of Representatives," it read.
Earlier in the day, the House of Representatives abruptly adjourned its session until 4 p.m. without ratifying the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL).
It was reported that the ouster plot against Alvarez was also expected to happen at the session.
In an interview following the session adjournment, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali said Alvarez remains the House Speaker.
"I suppose so, until the position is declared vacant and we make a vote on that, then he stays," Umali said.
President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies said the ouster move has the support of the President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who earlier had a spat with Alvarez.
The squabble between Alvarez and Duterte-Carpio started last February when the former called the latter part of the opposition after she formed the regional political party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago. (PNA)
