THE House of Representatives ousted Pantaleon Alvarez as Speaker and replaced him with former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo just a few minutes before President Rodrigo Duterte is scheduled to deliver his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday, July 23.
Alvarez's ouster came as majority of lawmakers signed a manifesto supporting Arroyo as the new House Speaker.
The Congress reconvened shortly after the session was adjourned Monday.
Under the Rules of the House of Representatives, Section 13 Rule III provides that the position of Speaker may only be declared vacant through nominal voting by a majority vote of all the members.
Section 11 states that the Speaker shall be elected by a majority vote of all the members and the Secretary General shall record the vote of each member which shall be cast without explanation.
Ang Kabuhayan Representative Dennis Laogan administered Arroyo's oath of office as the new Speaker.
Arroyo is the first former President to become House Speaker.
The change in leadership happened several hours after some lawmakers confirmed that there were talks to oust Alvarez.
Earlier, House deputy speaker and Cebu Representative Gwendolyn Garcia confirmed that some members of the House discussed the ouster of Alvarez in a caucus held Monday morning, July 23. (SunStar Philippines)