MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will lose “a lot of credibility” if the term-sharing deal on the speakership between Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, which the President himself brokered, will not push through, Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said Tuesday. Will he stand by it?” he told reporters in an interview when asked what would be the effects if the term-sharing deal will not push through. ADVERTISEMENTIn 2019, Duterte brokered a deal where Cayetano would serve as Speaker in the first 15 months of the 18th Congress while Velasco will succeed to serve for the remaining 21 months. Cayetano and Velasco are set to meet with the President on Tuesday as the speakership issue continues to heat up in the House of Representatives. “Knowing the President and his word of honor, I would hope that he now tells both parties, ‘You honor your commitment.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 29, 2020 08:15 UTC