Palace: Up to House to choose its speakerMANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will not meddle in the race for House speakership, Malacañang said Monday, after a stalwart of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan claimed the party is expected to secure the leadership of the chamber. Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III, PDP-Laban president, previously said it would be a "crying shame" if the speakership does not go to a member of his party. Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo reiterated that Duterte does not interfere with the affairs of a co-equal branch of government. Asked whether he agreed that it would be a "crying shame" if the next speaker is not from PDP-Laban, Panelo replied: "Maybe not. PDP-Laban members who are reportedly being groomed to succeed House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo include Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco and Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, a former speaker.

Source: Philippine Star May 20, 2019 12:10 UTC