Mayor Sara groomed to be House Speaker?
Sara Duterte as “fallback” Speaker? Opposition solon, Akbayan Partylist Rep. Tom Villarin claimed yesterday that some personalities within the administration could be shopping for a replacement for House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, whom he described as a “divisive” leader.
Villarin said the chosen one could very well be President Duterte’s own daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
Speaking in a press conference with fellow “Magnificent Seven” members at the House of Representatives, the congressman noted that Mayor Duterte had just formed her own regional political party, dubbed Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP). (See related story on Page 12.)
“I think Sara Duterte launched her own political party. What does that imply? You have a regional political party launched without Speaker Alvarez who also hails from Davao,” Villarin said.
“Ibig sabihin niyan (That means), they are looking for a fallback. Because you know the thrust of Speaker Alvarez has been very divisive; in fact allies of the Duterte administration are looking at other alternatives,” he said. He didn’t namedrop any of these supposed allies.
Alvarez, who is on his first term back in the House, is secretarygeneral of ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
The frank and tough-talking Speaker is often regarded as the top legislative ally of Duterte, who sits as PDP-Laban chairman.
Villarin insinuated that not all of the administration’s legislative positions – notably the attempt to revise the 1987 Constitution – is supported by its own political allies.
“Perhaps itong move ni Mayor Sara Duterte is to, kumbaga iiwas sila dun sa tulak ni (they will avoid the thrust of) Speaker Alvarez of Con-Ass (Constituent Assembly), of Cha-Cha (Charter Change) which might be rejected by the people. Now they would have a fallback.”
He pointed out that the lady mayor herself has said that she wants to become a congresswoman.
“We’re very pretty sure, and even from the statement of Sara Duterte that she will run for a seat in Congress, 1st district of Davao City. Kung magko-Congress ka (If you’re running for Congress), where does that lead to? So that means you can get the Speaker of the position,” the opposition lawmaker said.
Implosion Asked if he thinks Mayor Duterte is purposely aiming for the speakership, Villarin said that it’s possible. “Because if you want to get a position as district rep, the next step is taking the leadership of the House.”
Alvarez is eligible to run for two more three-year terms in the Lower House where he could potentially remain as the Speaker. The midterm elections will take place in 2019.
Among the members of HNP are Mindanao politicians who have had a falling out with Alvarez, reports said.
Villarin reckoned that if the Duterte administration has one problem in its hands, it’s the potential “implosion from within” of the PDP-Laban-led alliance after the polls next year.
“Lahat ng ito nangyayari in an administration going to a midterm election na alam naman natin, maraming gusto na matuloy yung elections but pinipigilan nila (All of these are happening in an administration going toward a midterm election which we know is favored by many but it being stopped by some).
“[The] Duterte dilemma [is], how will you keep your allies intact even if elections will push through,” he said.