House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano continues to get backlash from social media over his speakership tug-o-war with Marinduque Congressman Lord Allan Velasco.
On Monday, October 12, 186 congressmen in a session at the Quezon City Celebrity Sports Club moved to vacate the position of the House Speaker and elected Velasco to the position.
Cayetano and Velasco were supposed to share terms as speakers after President Rodrigo Duterte brokered the term-sharing agreement in 2019 to prevent an impasse.
Cayetano is supposed to end his term this October but he alleged that Velasco was plotting to oust him prior to the end of the agreed period that’s why he argued that the term-sharing is no longer valid and that the House needs to vote for a House speaker again if Velasco wanted to get the position.
Velasco and his allies meanwhile stood by the term-sharing agreement saying it is the President himself who himself facilitated that agreement thus Cayetano and his supporters should abide by it. But with Cayetano’s insistence to stay in power, Velasco allies had no choice but to stage a coup.
Meanwhile, the news on the Velasco election as the new House Speaker was not accepted by the Cayetano camp
In a press conference after Velasco’s election, Cayetano said the proceedings at the Celebrity Sports Club are illegal and should not be honored by Congress.
Thus several netizens and even celebrities can’t help but slam Cayetano over his insistence to cling to power.
Enchong Dee, who has been vocal about socio-political issues, tweeted a funny gif photo of a woman with a disgusted expression as his reaction to Cayetano’s outrageous antics.
https://t.co/1QASAMt25R pic.twitter.com/uKTPX4IuLq
— Enchong Dee (@enchongdee777) October 12, 2020
Vice Ganda also reacted by comparing the current congress squabble to a beauty pageant saying someone has already won the crown.
“Tapos na ang pageant sa Kongreso. May nakoronahan na sa wakas. Ang tagal din ng pre pageant ha impernez!” Vice tweeted.
Tapos na ang pageant sa Kongreso. May nakoronahan na sa wakas. Ang tagal din ng pre pageant ha impernez!
— jose marie viceral (@vicegandako) October 12, 2020
Journalist Barnaby Lo in his tweet insinuated about the swift change of loyalties of congressmen when 184 rejected Cayetano’s resignation and 186 voted to elect Velasco knowing the House of Representatives is only composed of 302 congressmen.
“184 congressmen voted to reject Cayetano’s offer to resign from the speakership just less than 2 weeks ago. 186 elected to install Velasco as speaker today. There are only 302 congressmen.”
184 congressmen voted to reject Cayetano’s offer to resign from the speakership just less than 2 weeks ago.
186 elected to install Velasco as speaker today.
There are only 302 congressmen.
🤡
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) October 12, 2020
Another netizen @KarlBauu on the other hand blasted Cayetano’s flip-flopping about the Speakership row. The netizen mentioned Cayetano’s earlier drama of resigning but ended up retaining his post and not wanting to relinquish anymore.
“Ok legit I’m so confused… Didn’t Cayetano offer to resign like two weeks ago? Tas ngayon he’s not willing to give up the position?? I’m not sure ah. But this might not even be a priority now? Wtf”
Ok legit I’m so confused… Didn’t Cayetano offer to resign like two weeks ago? Tas ngayon he’s not willing to give up the position??
I’m not sure ah. But this might not even be a priority now? Wtf 😒 https://t.co/viw0KisgXW
— KarlBau ⚒ ):) #LabanLang 🌸 (@KarlBauuu) October 12, 2020
Election lawyer Emil Maranon meanwhile reminded people about the Cayetano couple being representatives of 2 separate districts of Taguig in reaction to Cayetano’s statement that his wife bear might have to bear being with him for more hours at home if he loses the speakership.
Wala bang magre-remind kay Alan na he once admitted under oath that he and his wife Lani live in different districts?
**My cancellation cases against the Cayetano couple are still undecided by Comelec for almost 2 years now.** https://t.co/Yu2PbntH73
— Emil (@13thFool) October 12, 2020
There were also netizens who linked the current chaos in Congress as karma for what they did to ABS-CBN like what @tr1ipnautik and @princessfrance tweeted.
“Ang daldal ni Allan Cayetano. Puro salita pero tratraydurin ka patalikod. Naalala ko na naman yung kaputahang ginawa niya sa @ABSCBNNews” said @tr1pnautik
Ang daldal ni Allan Cayetano. Puro salita pero tratraydurin ka patalikod. Naalala ko na naman yung kaputahang ginawa niya sa @ABSCBNNews
— • Mugen 🐱 (@tr1pnaut1k) October 12, 2020
“And di ba… Magkahiwalay kayo ng bahay? Kaya nga pareho kayong nasa Kongreso? Karma, karma, karma chameleon,” @princessfrance tweeted.
And di ba… Magkahiwalay kayo ng bahay? Kaya nga pareho kayong nasa Kongreso?
Karma, karma, karma chameleon… 🤡 https://t.co/LklmNc8aKp
— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) October 12, 2020
“Don’t like this Lord Allan guy, pero… At least alam na ni Alan Peter ang pakiramdam, after ng ginawa nila sa ABS-CBN. Karma, karma, karma chameleon,” @princessfrance in another tweet.
Don't like this Lord Allan guy, pero… At least alam na ni Alan Peter ang pakiramdam, after ng ginawa nila sa ABS-CBN.
Karma, karma, karma chameleon… 🤡
— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) October 12, 2020
Meanwhile, here are other reactions from netizens about the unfolding congress drama on the battle for the speakership.
“Tapos nagagalit sila when the Congressmen are portrayed as bad characters on TV. Sige nga, tell us how?” @ethelMespiritu reacted.
Tapos nagagalit sila when the Congressmen are portrayed as bad characters on TV. Sige nga, tell us how?
— ethelMEspiritu (@EthelMEspiritu) October 12, 2020
“It’s like two different dogs but wearing the same collar. They only care for power and self interests. While we are in the middle of uncertainties, pandemic — it is the marginalized who will be left behind,” said @imkerwiking.
It’s like two different dogs but wearing the same collar. They only care for power and self interests. While we are in the middle of uncertainties, pandemic — it is the marginalized who will be left behind.
— Kerwin King (@imkerwinking) October 12, 2020
“He voted yes to Anti-Terror Bill and Marcos Day. Different person. Same monster,” @jphabac reaction to Lord Allan Velasco.
He voted yes to Anti-Terror Bill and Marcos Day. Different person. Same monster. https://t.co/PwpGkVMOgx
— jp (@jphabac) October 12, 2020
On Tuesday afternoon, a total of 186 lawmakers ousted Cayetano as Speaker of the House of Representatives a sthey vote to ratify Velasco’s election during the plenary proceedings.
