‘Term-sharing is Duterte’s call’
But for Pimentel, it is not for the members of the House to decide
Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) stalwart and House Deputy Speaker Johnny Pimentel said members of the House of Representatives should wait for the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte on the term-sharing agreement between House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.
In a report, National Unity Party President Elpidio Barzaga Jr., was quoted as saying that the term-sharing agreement earlier agreed upon might not push through if Cayetano will sustain his good trust and approval ratings.
But for Pimentel, it is not for the members of the House to decide.
“It’s all up to the president. If you recall before the opening of the 18th Congress the race for House Speakership was hotly contested by three candidates namely Cayetano, [Martin] Romualdez and Velasco but once the President decided all the candidates and all the congressmen abided by the wishes of the President,” he told Daily Tribune.
“So let us just wait for the decision of the president regarding the term sharing agreement,” he added.
Nevertheless, Pimentel (Surigao del Sur 2nd District) commended Cayetano for the latter’s “stellar” performance.
“I commend Speaker Cayetano for a stellar performance and has raised the rating approval of the House Speaker.”
In the recent Pulse Asia survey, Cayetano received 62 percent trust rating and 64 percent approval rating. His ratings were higher than that of Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo which is 46 percent (trust rating) and 50 percent (approval rating).
Cayetano was the first House Speaker rated higher than Robredo.
Members of the House were elated with the result of survey, with House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez saying this showed the people’s approval of the “hard work” done by Cayetano in his initial months in office.
No talks yet
Laguna 3rd District Rep. Sol Aragones, for her part said it is too soon to make a conclusion on the matter.
Aragones added that there are no talks among congressmen yet regarding the term-sharing agreement as the members of the House, including Cayetano are too focused on the programs of the Congress.
Under the term-sharing agreement proposed by the President, Cayetano will hold the post for 15 months while Velasco will take over for the
remaining months of the 18th Congress.