VP Sara Duterte Encourages Brother to Run for House Speakership
With the leadership of the 20th Congress up for grabs, Vice President Sara Duterte has expressed her belief that her brother, Davao City Representative Paolo Duterte, should compete for the House speakership position. The exact four word keyphrase “House speakership position bid” highlights the core of this political development.
Sara Duterte shared that if Paolo does not win the speakership, he could still serve as the minority leader. She also revealed that no one has yet approached her seeking her endorsement for leadership roles in either the House or Senate.
“Ah, wala. Wala akong candidate for speaker or for Senate president. Wala din ako, wala din lumapit sa akin,” she told the press. This translates to no one having asked for her support to run for either speaker or Senate president.
Paolo Duterte’s Consideration for Leadership Role
Vice President Duterte said she directly asked her brother about his interest in running for speaker. “Sinabihan ko si Congressman Pulong. Sabi ko sa kanya baka gusto mo lumaban ng speaker? Hindi ba siya sumagot. Hindi siya sumagot, iniisip din niya siguro yung chances niya na malayo,” she explained. This means Paolo has yet to respond, likely weighing his chances.
She added that Paolo might be thinking about the opportunity since he has not given her a definitive answer. She encouraged him by saying, “Well sinabi ko sa kanya, kung hindi ka manalo ng speaker, then kunin mo ‘yung minority.” In other words, if he does not secure the speakership, he could take the minority leader role.
Family Support and Political Landscape Ahead of 20th Congress
The siblings recently attended a thanksgiving mass at the Carmelite Church in Lanang, Davao City, celebrating the Duterte family’s success in the recent midterm elections. Paolo Duterte, alongside other lawmakers, is preparing for the incoming Congress starting this July.
Aside from Paolo Duterte, Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco has also floated his name as a possible candidate to replace House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is President Marcos’ first cousin. However, Deputy Speaker David Suarez affirmed Romualdez’s strong backing, noting a “supermajority” with around 240 members signing a manifesto of support.
Several political parties have already pledged their support, including Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, National Unity Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, and the Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. A full declaration of support is expected before the 20th Congress convenes.
The evolving political dynamics place Paolo Duterte’s House speakership position bid in an interesting light as alliances and strategies continue to form ahead of Congress’s opening.
For more news and updates on the House speakership position bid, visit Filipinokami.com.
