PAMPANGA Third District Representative Aurelio Gonzales has thrown the towel in his bid for the speakership in favor of Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco as top choice to lead the House of Representatives.
This is in respect to the ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which endorsed Velasco for the House speakership in the incoming 18th Congress. Gonzales is the national executive vice president of the PDP-Laban.
Gonzales said that some 60 of his party mates signed a manifesto naming Velasco as their choice to lead the House of Representatives. Gonzales was also reported to have signed the manifesto.
Gonzales said some members of the Nationalist People's Coalition, around 39, have also expressed support for Velasco.
This also includes some 45 to 50 from the party-list coalition; 20 to 25 from the North Luzon Alliance; 25 independent House members; 15 from Nacionalista Party; and 12 from the Liberal Party.
Out of the 304 members of the House of Representatives, some 200 are expected to throw in their support for Velasco.
Gonzales appealed to his colleagues to take the side of level-headedness and unite for the country's sake.
He was quick to note that the country needs unity, especially in its House of Representatives, more than ever.
"Unity should rule the day. Political partisanship and biases have been destroying our country. This has to stop," he said.