(Eagle News)–Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano is the new Speaker of the House of Representatives under the 18th Congress.
Over 200, or 266 congressmen, voted for Cayetano,who was among those President Rodrigo Duterte backed as Speaker under a term-sharing agreement.
Under the pact, Cayetano would be replaced by Rep. Lord Allan Velasco after 15 months.
But Velasco and Rep. Martin Romualdez, both former Speaker contenders, themselves nominated Cayetano, who was foreign affairs secretary before he ran for congressman in the May 13 elections.
Who would be House speaker remained unclear until their nomination, with Rep. Paolo Duterte, presidential son who had also been touted as a contender for the post, supposedly calling for a breakfast meeting for solons before the election.
The breakfast meeting with the younger Duterte however did not push through, with the Davao representative himself failing to make an appearance.
During the session, the younger Duterte nominated Cayetano to the top House post as well.
Apart from Cayetano, Manila Rep. Benny Abante was also nominated as Speaker.
Abante, who garnered 28 votes, backed Cayetano as Speaker.
