MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would rather focus on work than dwell on the events leading to the unseating of Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez (Davao del Norte) as speaker.
Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. (Surigao del Norte) revealed in a television interview that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte met with some lawmakers the night before President Rodrigo Duterte's third State of the Nation Address.
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Asked about the supposed meeting between between Sara Duterte, Pichay, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Davao del Norte Gov. Anthony del Rosario, former Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Rep. Arthur Yap (Bohol), Arroyo said that she cannot verify the story as she was not there.
"I'm here now and I'm speaker. I'd like to move on. I'd like to move on because there are so many things that need to be done," Arroyo said in a video posted by ABS-CBN News.
"For me, I'd rather not look back but move on," she added.
In an interview with ANC's "Beyond Politics", Pichay said that Romualdez called him on July 20 and told him that they have the "green light" for the change of leadership in the lower chamber.
"All the signs are there. He and Sara had a fight then there was a statement earlier issued by Harry Roque that the president can work with anyone so we presumed that even the president doesn't want him anymore," Pichay said.
Pichay said that he was the one who suggested to ask help from Sara for the leadership and Romualdez said he will try to convince the presidential daughter.
On July 22, the Surigao del Norte lawmaker started calling lawmakers to back Arroyo's speakership. According to Pichay, he and those who attended the meeting Sunday night — Sara, Marcos, Del Rosario, Romualdez and Yap — called colleagues to seek their support.
They were able to get the support of about 161 congressmen, Pichay said.
Pichay also said that Arroyo was reluctant to run for House speaker as Alvarez used to be a member of her Cabinet.
"Maybe she saw the sentiments of congressmen and probably she also didn't like the leadership of Speaker Alvarez," Pichay said.
Arroyo and Alvarez met two days after the sudden change of House leadership after the former speaker requested to meet.
Arroyo refused to divulge the details of the meeting but said that it was "good" and "very cordial." — Patricia Lourdes Viray