House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has assured the public that the House of Representatives under his watch will not be a rubber stamp of the executive department or of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In an online interview with the Tribune, Velasco claimed, “Hindi naman po rubber stamp, mainly because kunwari may gusto po ang ating mahal na Pangulo, ibababa po niya sa Kongreso, we debate on it muna po, we’ll have people to scrutinize.
“We are allowed to ask questions, we go on debates to be able to talk about yung mga gusto nating ipasa na mga legislative na measures po. We cannot be called a rubber stamp because we do our job, scrutinizing each and every legislative measure po,”
However, several netizens asked the Speaker to prove his statement by allowing ABS-CBN to regain their franchise.
In a tweet by @PrincessFrance, he dared Velasco to allow ABS-CBN’s franchise application if he really meant what he said that Congress is not the President’s rubber stamp.
“Narinig na namin yan. Sige nga, ibalik niyo muna prangkisa ng ABS-CBN?”
Narinig na namin yan.
Sige nga, ibalik niyo muna prangkisa ng ABS-CBN?
— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) October 20, 2020
“Mag file sana ABSCBN ng new franchise, let see what will happen under his leadership.”
https://twitter.com/Malou07943205/status/1318483636518219776
Netizen @STEPSTEPHEN123 meanwhile also asked Velasco to tackle the ABS-CBN franchise again if he’s really not a rubber stamp of the President.
“ahhh sige nga pag usapan nyo ulit yubg franchise ng abs cbn”
ahhh sige nga pag usapan nyo ulit yubg franchise ng abs cbn
— Thalia Nogold (@StepheigN) October 20, 2020
ABS-CBN has been shut down since May 5 following the expiration of its franchise on May 4.
On July 10, 70 lawmakers under the leadership of then-House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano killed ABS-CBN’s hope to be back on air after rejecting their franchise application.
Cayetano and the house majority were known to be rubber stamps of Duterte following every whim of the President.
However, with the change of leadership, there were renewed hopes that ABS-CBN might get back their franchise again.
During the tug-o-war for the speakership, one of Cayetano’s contentions against Velasco was his absenteeism in some of the important congressional matters like the ABS-CBN franchise hearings. Some viewed this as a chance for ABS-CBN to refile for a franchise since Velasco might be impartial with ABS-CBN given the fact that he did not involve himself in the congressional persecution done by Cayetano’s leaders.
Another point is that some of the house leaders who voted against ABS-CBN are being relieved of their position now giving chance to other leaders who might be sympathetic to the network and its employees. Lawmakers who were also prime supporters of ABS-CBN during the hearing like Rep. Lito Atienza and Rep. Benny Abante have thrown support for Velasco.
But while Velasco may seem distant to the ABS-CBN issue unlike Cayetano who has taken it personally, it cannot be denied also that Velasco’s ascension to the Speakership is mostly influenced by the Duterte family.
The original term sharing agreement was brokered by President Duterte in 2019.
When Cayetano tried to evade and abandon the agreement, it was Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who called the final shot and led to Cayetano being ousted. Velasco prior to his election shared on social media his picture with the Davao City Mayor which according to many was the last straw for Cayetano.
Here are other reactions from the netizens regarding Velasco’s statement and his ties with the Dutertes.
“Velasco: “House not a rubber stamp of Duterte” Sabay pasalamat kay Sara tapos chop ng baboy sa kusina ni Dutae. #TyrantFromDavao and his Cabal,” wrote @magooblues.
Velasco: "House not a rubber stamp of Duterte"
Sabay pasalamat kay Sara tapos chop ng baboy sa kusina ni Dutae.#TyrantFromDavao and his Cabal
— Bob Blues Magoo (@MagooBlues) October 20, 2020
“You have to thank the Dutertes for your installation as speaker and instead of repaying God, first and foremost, for creating YOU, and those who voted for you with gratitude, you feel that you owe the Dutertes everything, Velasco,” said @akohigala
https://twitter.com/AkoHigala/status/1318555504210300928
“Ano ngang sabi mo, hindi ka magiging rubber stamp ni Duterte?! But the other day you recognized the crucial role of Sara Duterte in your Speakership! Malaki ang utang na loob mo sa pamilyang Duterte! How will you refute that issue?!!,” @m_adelie tweeted.
Ano ngang sabi mo, hindi ka magiging rubber stamp ni Duterte?! 🙄 But the other day you recognized the crucial role of Sara Duterte in your Speakership! Malaki ang utang na loob mo sa pamilyang Duterte! 😠 How will you refute that issue?!! https://t.co/PvaRLvwlRj
— ▪️ᴬᵈᵉˡ (@its_adelie) October 20, 2020
