THE City of San Fernando City Council passed Resolution 2019-87 supporting 3rd District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. in his bid for the speakership of the House of Representatives in the 18th Congress.
Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin said the resolution is an expression of the sentiment of the city council in their confidence in the leadership capability of Gonzales.
“The Sangguniang Panlungsod is confident of the acumen, leadership, integrity and capability of Rep. Gonzales in leading the House of Representatives,” Lazatin said, quoting a portion of the resolution which was passed unanimously by members of the city council present.
Gonzales said Tuesday that the ruling party’s candidate for House Speaker in the 18th Congress will be known next week.
Gonzales, who has announced his bid for the highest position among local elective posts, was confident that he has an edge over the other possible candidates of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) for the speakership.
The two other possible PDP-Laban candidates are Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.
Two other congressmen have also expressed interest in the post, namely, Leyte representative-elect Martin Romualdez and President Rodrigo Duterte’s former runningmate Alan Peter Cayetano, who will be representing Taguig City.
The 18th Congress will open on July 22, 2019 and yet, the lawmakers are already jockeying for position.
Gonzales said his advantage over the other contenders is that he does not have any ambition for a higher office.
“Pag umupo ka sa Speaker, you are planning for higher office for the next election, but, Dong Gonzales, wala po tayong ambition sa national maski senador, vice-president, o president,” he added.