A GROUP of PDP-Laban congressmen led by Congressmen Ronnie Zamora, Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II, Abraham Tolentino, and Dan Fernandez crossed party lines to support Congressman Alan Peter Cayetano’s bid to become Speaker of the House of Representatives.
As the battle for Speaker heats up, PDP-Laban lawmakers expressed their support for the Taguig-Pateros representative notwithstanding the fact that he belongs to the Nacionalista Party.
Zamora of the lone District of San Juan said that he decided to support Cayetano because he is the “most qualified” among the Speaker aspirants.
Gonzales of Mandaluyong for his part said that they need a Speaker who is not just close to the President, but also someone who has leadership capabilities and good public service track record.
Tolentino (7th District, Cavite) and Fernandez (1st District, Laguna) pointed out that many PDP-Laban members have expressed support for Cayetano because they want a Speaker whom they can trust and respect.
“Leading more than 250 independent-minded solons is not an easy task, it entails experience and competence.” Tolentino added.
Many PDP-laban lawmakers also expressed dismay about the reported vote buying activities that were happening in the past weeks. They take note and support the fair and principled campaign for Speakership being pursued by Cayetano. That is why Cayetano is a strong contender even if he is not an official member of President Duterte’s Party, Fernandez emphasized.
The lawmakers are confident that Cayetano will be able to steer the legislative agenda of the President since he also shared the vision of the President of providing a secured and comfortable life for the Filipinos.
It can be recalled that Sen. Manny Pacquiao, PDP-Laban’s campaign manager in the last elections, said earlier that their party will be ready to support even a non-PDP Laban candidate for Speaker should President Rodrigo Duterte decide to support one from another party. (PR)