ni GERRY BALDO
NAKAAMBA ang posibleng kudeta laban kay House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano sa pagbubukas ng sesyon ngayong araw, 21 Setyembre, kung hindi gagawin ang patas na pamamahagi ng pondo para sa mga distrito ng kongresista.
Kinompirma ni Deputy Speaker at Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte ang nasabing kudeta kahapon matapos kumalat ang text message niya sa isang kongresista na nag-uudyok sa tinaguriang Mindanao bloc na ideklarang bakante ang lahat ng posisyon sa Kamara kasama ang posisyon ni Cayetano.
“Over the past days, quite a number of lawmakers have called me as they expressed their disappointment and consternation over the fate of their respective allocations and budgets from the hands of the current House leadership,” anang kongresista at anak ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte.
“Although I am an ex-officio member being a Deputy Speaker, I have respectfully and clearly told them that their concern is something that I would rather stay away from — out of delicadeza because my father is the President,” ayon sa nakababatang Duterte.
Sa isang press release kahapon, sinabi ni Duterte na karamihan sa mga pag-aalala ng mga kongresista ay tungkol sa kasalukuyang proseso at pagdududa sa liderato ng Kamara.
“Most of these concerns shrouded doubts over the process and mistrust of the lawmakers ruling the House, those who are acting as if they are bigger than their colleagues,” ani Duterte.
Aniya, ‘yung text message niya sa isang kongresista ay “expression of my personal dismay upon hearing the concerns of my fellow lawmakers.”
Sinabi rin ni Duterte sa liham, ayaw niyang masangkot sa isyu ng pagpasa ng budget ngunit gusto niyang tulungan ang mga kasamahan sa kongreso na magawan ng remedyo ang budget na ipinangako sa mga nasasakupan.
Aniya, maaaring palitan ang liderato ng Kamara kung gugustuhin ng mga miyembro.
“As a collective body, the members of Congress have the power to change the course of which the leadership is leading them to and address a problem to ensure that the programs and projects for their people are delivered and delivered expeditiously.”
“The members of Congress have the power to correct everything that they perceive as wrong happening within the Lower House or change leadership as they demand fair treatment and reforms,” ani Pulong.
Aniya, handa siyang matanggal bilang deputy speaker.
“If the members of Congress will push for a change in House leadership, as a reaction to their sentiments, obviously I would be among the casualties because I am a deputy speaker. I am ready to accept the consequences,” dagdag pa ng batang Duterte.