Visayan bloc backs House term sharing
BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Saturday, February 29, 2020
The stand of their political group remains unchanged, with regards to the agreed term-sharing of the House speakership, former Rep. Alfredo Benitez, lead convenor of the 48-strong Visayan bloc, yesterday said.
“That’s what had been discussed. I think the Visayan bloc will stand with that agreement”, Benitez said, when asked about House leadership coup rumors.
Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco is slated to assume the House speakership in October this year, as agreed between him and incumbent Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, last year.
The only way that it can be changed is if the President himself says otherwise, Benitez said.
Cayetano earlier accused Velasco of allegedly promising committee chairmanships and perks to solons, who are his allies.
Benitez said there is no such thing as a “coup” in the House speakership. “Who are those 20 solons”, he asked, adding, definitely, none of them are from the Visayan bloc.
“Why create coup plans?” he asked, adding that there will be a transition in the House speakership in the coming months.*