Paolo Duterte Snubs Speakership Election Amid Congress Session
Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte left the House of Representatives less than an hour after the 20th Congress’s first regular session began. His early exit came just as the nomination process for the speakership was underway, signaling a significant political move.
Duterte exited through the South Wing of the House building at 10:43 a.m., avoiding the vote for the speakership. This unexpected action caught the attention of many as it happened during a critical moment in the session.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s Uncontested Nomination
Martin Romualdez, the incumbent House Speaker and a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., stood as the sole nominee for the speakership of the 20th Congress. Sources said Romualdez is widely expected to secure the position for a second consecutive term.
According to the House rules, members who vote for the winning speaker join the majority bloc, while those who do not are classified as part of the minority. Paolo Duterte’s walkout strongly indicates he will not support Romualdez and will likely align himself with the minority.
Political Rift Deepens Between Duterte and Marcos Allies
Once political allies during the 2022 elections, President Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte have since developed a bitter rivalry. The feud has been intensified by the International Criminal Court’s arrest order against former President Rodrigo Duterte, local leaders noted.
Later in the day, President Marcos is scheduled to deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address at the House of Representatives, a setting charged with political tension due to recent developments.
Paolo Duterte’s decision to abstain from the speakership vote underscores the growing fractures within the ruling coalition and highlights shifting alliances in the Philippine political landscape.
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