Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco. INQUIRER file photo
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, a contender to the House speakership, said on Tuesday that his loyalty to the President and his daughter, is what makes him different from his competitor, incoming Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez.
鈥淭he difference between me and Martin (Romualdez), I鈥檓 a loyal friend to the President and (Davao City) Mayor Inday (Sara Duterte-Carpio),鈥� Velasco said in an interview over ABS CBN 黑料社 Channel.
Being close to the President Rodrigo Duterte is an 鈥渁dvantage,鈥� Velasco said, even though the House needs to be an independent institution.
鈥淧eople say it might be a disadvantage if I become speaker because I鈥檓 very close to the President,鈥� he said.
鈥淚鈥檓 saying it鈥檚 actually an advantage for me to be close to the President because at least I can talk directly to the President when it comes to the problems of the House,鈥� Velasco added.
Duterte-Carpio earlier introduced Velasco in a campaign rally as the next Speaker of the House.
Meanwhile, Romualdez鈥檚聽 speakership bid has already secured the support of some 126 House members, House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez earlier revealed.
READ: Romualdez Speakership bid gets support from 126 House members
Aside from Velasco and Romualdez, other contenders for the Speakership is former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and former Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)
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