The Term-Sharing Agreement

We are writing this column as the House of Representatives comes to a vote on whether or not to accept the resignation of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano as House speaker. In an emotional speech before his House colleagues he traced his political career from his humble beginning as councilor of Taguig in Rizal Province, as former Secretary of Foreign Affairs, then as senator and finally as Speaker of the House. In a prepared speech, he bid goodbye to his colleagues claiming that he treated them in the most professional way during his incumbency as speaker and gave honor to the Lower House as an institution. The resignation speech was reportedly precipitated by the insistence of Congressman Alan Velasco for Cayetano to respect the term- sharing agreement between them which was purged under the auspices of no less than President DU30 before the start of the present Congress last June. Be that as it may, it is my perception that Speaker Cayetano still commands the majority members of the Lower House and may vote to reject his resignation. In this eventuality, he remains as House Speaker and the term-sharing agreement is thus put on hold and the desire of Congressman Alan Velasco to sit as House Speaker starting October 14 may not materialize. It appears that the aces are in Cayetano’s favor and it is doubtful if he would still respect the term-sharing agreement.

From the latest pronouncement of the Duterte administration, some municipalities and cities in Central and Southern Luzon are still in GCQ status which has been ordered to last until October 31. Camarines Sur and Naga City and other parts of Bicol Region are now under MGCQ. Reportedly, some tourist destinations like Boracay and Bohol are no longer under any quarantine status. Obviously, these measures are being undertaken to generate employment and economic activities in the region.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“TRUE HONOR IS GAINED BY CULTIVATING OUR INTELLECT IN ORDER TO KNOW THE TRUTH, AND EDUCATING OUR HEARTS TO ACCUSTOM THEM TO LOVE IT.”

APOLINARIO MABINI

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“AS THE DEER LONGS FOR STREAMS OF WATER, SO MY SOUL LONGS FOR YOU O GOD.” PSALM 42:2