"New Face but Same Boss."
Or: "Thoughts on the recent change of leadership
in the House of Representatives"
At first, this note is ought to say that the recent change of leadership in the House of Representatives is nothing but an internal issue involving allies of the Duterte administration.
For despite having feud between Cayetano and Velasco, these two men wanting power shared the same interest of defending their dear father Digong as they supported the Anti-Terrorism Act, the shutting down of ABS CBN and its right to operate its TV and Radio stations, and by granting their dear leader "extraordinary powers" in diverting public funds to his projects of interest.
This writer wouldn't be surprised if that by supporting their dear leader also meant kowtowing to his interest and those of his foreign overlords. Whereas Duterte have to respect unequal agreements such as those from the United States, China, and other developed countries, so are the two- while the people are actively opposing the plunder and destruction of resources of the country "all in the name of development."
And since Cayetano, now ousted from his seat as speaker, may feign acting as a "conscience" of the administration if not a "fiscaliser", will he after all of kowtowing to his "Father Digong" and ever clinging to the position of house speaker? Don't think so- may even cost further his reputation all after his actions during his speakership; after all, he will be remembered for his million peso cauldron used during the South East Asian Games and in justifying his display of things irrelevant to the congress such as his collection of basketball stuff "just to remember the late Kobe Bryant".
For now this note would say that to sum all these, that this speakership duel will be remembered as all about getting a bigger share of power. Expect these two still busy toadying up to their masters, of Digong and Inday Sara, to those of Bong Go just to pursue further their political ambitions- the question is, who will be really chosen to succeed beyond this matter? For sure everyone can't just "move on" for this brouhaha.
But in the end, people have nothing to gain on that rift nor from Velasco's speakership in this time of pandemic. For sure other than the much-bragged projects of course, there was no programs calling for immediate support such as mass testing and affordable treatment of the infected patients caused by COVID19, not even wage increases nor immediate assistance for the unemployed, no job security, not even land reform.