Commits support to PBBM, Romualdez; disavows ‘early politicking’
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo doused speculations that there was more to her replacement as senior deputy speaker of the House of Representatives as she affirmed her commitment to support the legislative agenda of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Mrs. Arroyo, who issued Wednesday evening a terse one-sentence statement that it was the prerogative of the House to replace her, explained in length Thursday her position.
“As I have learned during my three decades as a politician, such events are part and parcel of Philippine politics. Still, I do not want it to precipitate or intensify any tendencies towards early politicking. We are just barely a year into the administration of President Marcos, Jr., and it would be unfortunate if early politicking resulted in any dilution of the tremendous mandate that the UniTeam, led by our President, earned in the 2022 elections. After all, the President ran on the platform of unity,” she said.
She said she learned of the election of her province-mate, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, as senior deputy speaker in her place on Wednesday.
‘My first reaction was that it is always the prerogative of the House to make changes in its leadership structure. Thus, I congratulate Dong, and I hope his new position will help him fulfill his mandate to represent our fellow Kapampangans,” she said.
Arroyo admitted that when President Marcos won, she wanted to aspire for the Speakership of the House.
“But it soon became apparent that he was most comfortable with then Congressman Martin Romualdez as Speaker. I quickly realized the wisdom embedded in that sentiment. In the Philippines, the House leadership has traditionally been closely associated with the sitting President, and this relationship of deep trust between Speaker and President has been beneficial in smoothly enacting the legislative agenda of the President,” she said.
“When I learned that there were reports that I was suspected of plotting a ‘coup’ against Speaker Romualdez, I decided I must speak out to clarify my political position. Indeed, some of my actions may have been misconstrued, such as my recent trip with a delegation of Congressmen to Korea for some official meetings,” she added.
Arroyo said her political objectives have now been narrowed down to three: “To represent the 2nd district of Pampanga; to support the legislative agenda of Speaker Romualdez and President Marcos; and to use whatever experience I have as a former President to help out when I am called upon to do so.”
“So, it should be noted that being Speaker once more is no longer part of my political objectives. This has been my position ever since Speaker Romualdez was elected in the 19th Congress, and I continue to urge my Lakas-CMD party-mates to support our party President in that role,” she said.
Arroyo said she has “no compelling reasons to change my mind about foregoing my ambitions for the Speakership.”
“By this disavowal, I hope that we can preempt any needless politicking so that the House and our President can focus on the job at hand with minimum distraction.”
“Thus, I emphasize by paraphrasing an American public figure, the Civil War General William Tacumseh Sherman who, when being enticed to run for the American presidency in 1884, decline by saying something like, ‘If nominated, I will not run, and if elected, I will not serve,’” Arroyo added.
Hours before she issued her lengthy statement, at least three major blocs in the House of Representatives threw their full support for the administration of President Marcos and the leadership of Speaker Romualdez.
“Our party reiterates its unwavering support for both the President and Speaker Romualdez. Together, they have accomplished much for our country and our people,” said Gonzales, PDP-Laban national treasurer, in a statement. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
“Our Speaker is a valuable ally and helping hand to the President in terms of shepherding the administration’s legislative priorities in Congress… As in the past, as a loyal member of the majority, I will always support the Speaker and will continue to work for the benefit of my constituents in the 3rd district of Pampanga and of my kabalen in the province,” he added.
In a similar statement, PDP-Laban national president and Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez said: “We consider the move of the House of Representatives to elevate Rep. Gonzales to the second highest position in the chamber as a recognition of our party-mates’ invaluable contribution to the unprecedented work that the House has accomplished less than a year in our term.”
“We continue to work hand-in-hand and in close partnership with Speaker Martin Romualdez, who have mobilized a multi-partisan coalition in the House of Representatives to help President Marcos deliver his commitment to our people. The election of Rep Gonzales shows the strong ties and cooperation between the Speaker’s party Lakas CMD and PDP Laban in serving the Filipino people,” Alvarez said.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, a Nacionalista Party stalwart, said: “Senior Deputy Speaker Gonzales is one of our reliable and diligent partners in the House of Representatives and a great addition to the working force of our hard-working Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.”
“We reiterate the party’s strong support to the leadership of Speaker Romualdez who is deeply committed to the well-being and progress of our nation,” he said.
Even the minority bloc, led by 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, welcomed Gonzales’ promotion.
“Representative Gonzales will be a huge asset to the House leadership in his new capacity. He will be able to work closely with the minority bloc in overseeing the passage of legislative reforms that are needed to sustain the country’s economic recovery and improve the quality of life of every Filipino family,” Libanan said.
“We reiterate our full support to the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, who has ably steered the House in delivering unprecedented accomplishments less than a year in our terms. The minority is absolutely committed to our partnership with Speaker Romualdez and the entire House leadership, as we seek common ground to swiftly create more jobs and livelihood opportunities, lift a greater number of households from poverty, and move the country forward,” he added.