MANILA, Philippines — Warring camps at the House of Representatives are set to solidify their forces before the scheduled election for the next House Speaker on Monday. A source said the gatherings and the manifesto of “unequivocal” support for the “Duterte Coalition” circulating among House members were aimed at “determining [the] numbers” and “solidifying forces” for the leadership battle. Duterte said Cayetano would share his three-year term with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, with Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez sitting as majority leader. (“There is an election for Speaker on July 22, I’m more interested in that. READ: Duterte calls looming House coup ‘wishful thinking’For a party-list lawmaker though, the recent developments have “confused” rather than enlighten them.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer July 19, 2019 08:03 UTC