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PDP Laban endorses Lord Allan Velasco as Next House Speaker

Senator Manny Pacquiao has announced that ruling-party and President Rodrigo Duterte’s political party PDP-Laban is endorsing Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco as the next House Speaker.

Velasco’s endorsement comes after the President’s announcement that he will let current Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo choose her replacement. 

“I am therefore announcing the endorsement and support of PDP Laban for Congressman Lord Allan Velasco as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the full term of the 18th Congress,” Pacquiao said in a livestreaming announcement.

Pacquiao however clarified that the President refuses to endorse anybody in the speakership race. 

Presidential Spokesman Sal Panelo said that the President will not choose anyone because all candidates are his ‘allies’.

“To make sure that the legislative agenda of President Duterte’s administration be fully realized, the next Speaker of the house should serve as speaker for the full term or 3 years,” Pacquiao added dismissing the possibility of term sharing should Velasco takes over the speakership post. 

PDP-Laban says a manifesto support was signed between the party, NPC, party-list coalition and Northern Luzon alliance to secure the numbers of Velasco. 

Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez and Taguig Representative Alan Peter Cayetano are also vying the post of House Speaker.

Staff Report

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