Visayan bloc choices: Velasco, Romualdez
BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Saturday, June 29, 2019
The 45-strong Visayan bloc solons narrowed down their choice for House speakership between Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and incoming Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Rep. Stephen Paduano (Abang Lingkod partylist), a member of the Visayan bloc, yesterday said that they have until July 15 to decide whom to support between Velasco and Romualdez, who has yet to join their bloc.
Outgoing Rep. Alfredo Benitez (Neg. Occ., 3rd district), who is the Visayan bloc convenor, earlier disclosed that they agreed to vote for a common candidate for speaker in the 18th Congress,who will pursue the legislative agenda for the Visayas region and can work harmoniously with the Duterte administration.
But Paduano said whoever will be endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte will also get the support of the Visayan bloc.
He confirmed that Benitez is making a last ditch effort to talk with President Rodrigo Duterte, in connection with the race for the House speakership, After that, they will have a meeting to discuss their choice for the speakership.
Asked whom he will support, Paduano said he will chose Romualdez, since he is from the Visayas, and because of his track record in government service, good rapport with his fellow solons, and his legislative agenda.
Paduano also said he believes that a sizeable number of Visayan bloc solons want Romualdez, although he clarified that he is not preempting the decision of their members.*