ABANG Lingkod Representative Stephen Paduano describes incoming House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco as a quiet man.
"Lord has been doing his jobs quietly as chair of the House Committee on Energy. He has waited for his time to sit as the Speaker of the House based on the '15-21 term sharing agreement' with Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano," Paduano said.
There was never a plan for a coup against Cayetano coming from the camp of Velasco, Paduano said.
Paduano also confirmed that the Visayan Bloc has been at the side of Velasco, but they have been cooperative and supportive of Cayetano.
He also clarified the word war between Negros Oriental Third District Representative Arnolfo Teves Jr. and Deputy Speaker Luis Raymund Villafuerte is Teves's personal action after he raised questions about the budget allocation of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to various congressional districts in the country, notably to the localities of the Camarines Sur congressman and House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.
"The Visayan bloc had nothing to do with it. It was a personal action of Teves," Paduano said.
Velasco, who is representing Marinduque at the lower house, will be the new House Speaker effective October 14.
The supposed Speakership row was resolved during a meeting between incumbent Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Velasco and President Rodrigo Duterte.
Paduano was among the congressmen handpicked by Velasco to accompany him during the said meeting.
PDP-Laban Executive Director Ron Munsayac confirmed that Paduano from the Visayan Bloc was among those chosen by Velasco himself to accompany him, together with Deputy Speakers Mikee Romero and Johnny Pimentel, Ilocos Sur Representative Kristine Singson-Meehan (Northern Alliance), AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Representative Sharon Garin (Party-list Coalition), Quezon Representative Mark Enverga, and Rizal Representative Jack Duavit (Nationalist People’s Coalition), and Oriental Mindoro Representative Salvador Leachon (PDP-Laban).