186 solons elect Velasco speaker in House coup

A total of 186 congressmen stripped Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano of his post and voted to install Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as the new speaker Monday ahead of the special session called by the President to expedite passage of the proposed national budget for 2021.

- BEN ROSARIO

Velasco, chairman of the House Committee on Energy, was elected speaker at the Celebrity Sports Plaza in Quezon City after his supporters said the plenary hall has been padlocked.

At least 101 of those who voted for Velasco were present in the session while 85 attended on Zoom.

“The number represents the same number of congressmen who signed a manifesto supporting Velasco for speaker,” disclosed 1Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero, who was unceremoniously relieved as deputy speaker by Cayetano last week.

Velasco, 42, is believed to be the youngest congressman to hold the position of speaker.

He readily accepted his election which was conducted on nominal voting.

Deputy Speaker and Abono party-list Rep. Conrad Estrella III declared Velasco the new speaker after announcing the votes he garnered which were 186.

Nominations were made by leaders of political parties and regional blocs comprising the majority coalition in the House. Leading the pack of nominators was Romero, who is expected to regain his seat as deputy speaker.