Lord's Reign In House Begins

Cayetano resigns shortly after over 200 solons ratify Velasco’s election as new Speaker

- Ellson A. Quismorio And Ben R. Rosario

And just like that, the fight is over.

A huge number of congressmen ratified on the House plenary floor shortly before noon Tuesday the election of Marinduque lone district Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the new Speaker.

The ratification, announced by presiding officer, Deputy Speaker and ABONO Party-list Rep. Conrado Estrella III, finalized the ouster of Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano the previous day at Celebrity Sports Plaza when the same number of solons declared the Speaker’s seat vacant.

They subsequently elected the 42-year-old to the fourth-highest position in the land at the Quezon City country club.

On Tuesday, Velasco was able to address the plenary as Speaker, his rival Cayetano finally vanquished.

Acting as Majority Leader in the morning session, Pampanga 4th District Rep. Rimpy Bondoc, clarified to Velasco that more than 186 of their colleagues had wanted to vote for him Monday. However, some solons couldn’t do so because of the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“More than 200 congressmen have sent in their votes for you,” Bondoc said, adding that Velasco now clearly leads the majority in the 299-strong chamber.

Cayetano resigns

Cayetano stepped down from his post two hours after over 200 congressmen ratified on the House floor his ouster as speaker and the election of Velasco as his replacement.

“He voluntarily resigned,” declared Deputy Speaker and Ilocos Sur Rep. DV Savellano, an ally of Cayetano.