THE MAIN star of the State of the Nation Address (Sona) Monday, July 23, is not actually President Rodrigo Duterte.
It was former president and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who stole the limelight from the country’s top chief executive, who was somber when he delivered his speech that lasted for 50 minutes.
But forget about Duterte.
So how did Arroyo came back into power?
The day took a dramatic turn after reports surfaced that some lawmakers discussed the ouster of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez during a caucus.
Later, majority of the members signed a manifesto supporting Arroyo as the new House Speaker.
The move to oust Alvarez, a closest ally of the president and the secretary-general of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), was reportedly maneuvered by Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
When Duterte arrived at the Batasang Pambansa for the Sona, Alvarez, along with Senate President Tito Sotto, greeted him.
All the while, Arroyo was being sworn in at the rostrum.
The power struggle at the House has also delayed the president’s speech for more than an hour.
In the end, it was Alvarez who sat beside Duterte during the joint session.
But it did not end there.
After Duterte delivered his report and left, the lawmakers stayed for the nominal voting.
The members of the House then formally installed Arroyo as speaker, with 184 lawmakers voted in favor and 12 abstentions.
Arroyo took again her oath of office at the rostrum, her second time of the day.
This development is a big turnaround for the political career of the former president.
It can be recalled that Arroyo, who was president from 2001 to 2010, was imprisoned after she was accused of corruption.
And now she’s back, and more powerful.