Taguig-Pateros Representative Alan Peter Cayetano on Monday, October 12, rejected the election of Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco to replace him as House Speaker in a vote lawmakers earlier held at a sports club in Quezon City.

“The last time I checked, ang Celebrity Sports Club ay hindi Kongreso (The last time I checked, Celebrity Sports Club is not Congress),” Cayetano said in a media briefing at the Batasang Pambansa.

Read the full story by Rappler’s JC Gotinga.

For Malacañang, it doesn’t matter much now.

During a press briefing on Monday, October 12, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque was asked about the Cayetano-Velasco term-sharing agreement brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“‘Yang mga bagay-bagay na ‘yan – wala na ‘yan. I mean, bahala na sila diyan. Wala na siyang pakialam. To each his own,” Roque said. (Those things – never mind those. I mean, they’re own their own. He doesn’t care anymore. To each his own.)

The last 4 years saw Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco with greater power than ever before, especially since he enjoys close ties with President Rodrigo Duterte himself.

A lawyer by profession, Velasco first worked at the Supreme Court. He is also the son of retired SC associate justice Presbitero Velasco Jr.

The younger Velasco’s election in 2010 was the first foray into politics of his family. It didn’t take long for them to cement their place in local politics, largely backed by Duterte. (READ: Will the Duterte-backed Velascos prevail in Marinduque?)

Read this piece to know more about Lord Allan Velasco.

House Speaker Cayetano or House Speaker Velasco? 

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte no longer cares who will be elected as the Lower House’s speaker, only that the 2021 budget should be prioritized during a special session that will last until October 16.

“Wala na siyang paikialam kung anong gagawin ng mga mambabatas matapos maipasa ang 2021 budget. Walang pinapanigan. To each his own. May the best man win for the speakership – after the budget (passes) in the House,” Roque said in a press briefing on Monday, October 12.

(Lawmakers can do what they want after they pass the 2021 budget. He’s not taking sides. To each his own. May the best man win for the speakership – after the budget in the House.) 

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