The Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc., the second largest political bloc in the House of Representatives, has invited newly formed “Duterte Coalition” speakership bet and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab to present his leadership platform in its general membership meeting today.
With this invitation, the PCFI will reconsider its previous agreement to limit the choice for speaker to those who have previously met the organization to present their legislative and leadership program if elected speaker.
PCFI president and 1Pacman partylist Rep. Mikee Romero said that if Ungab shows up today, he will be the fifth candidate for speaker to have a face-to-face meeting with partylist congressmen.
“I confirm that Congressman Ungab has been invited to our meeting,” said Romero.
PCFI spokesman and Ako Bicol partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin said the partylist alliance may be expected to move to reconsider its previous “standing decision” to limit its choices for speaker to two candidates who have presented the program of leadership many considered as most acceptable.
“Since there is a standing decision about our speakership choices, we will have to take this up during the meeting,” said Garbin.
Multiple sources have revealed that during its June 19 meeting in Quezon City, the PCFI agreed that if President Duterte would refuse to endorse anyone for speaker, they will limit the choice for speaker between Rep. Lord Allan Velasco (PDP-Laban, Marinduque) and Martin Romualdez (Lakas, Leyte).
Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales was dropped from the list of speakership prospects after he decided to back Velasco instead.
Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano failed to make the cut after failing to impress majority of the PCFI members about his leadership platform.
The emergence of the Duterte Coalition by the Hugpong ng Pagbabago, chaired by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, and the Hugpong ng Tawong Lungsod, under Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, and the fielding of Ungab as its candidate has reportedly been welcomed by PCFI leaders who have rejected term sharing as a way of breaking the speakership race impasse. (Ben Rosario)