The plan to oust Davao Del Norte Representative Pantaleon Alvarez has succeeded and now former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is now the new Speaker of the House.
Most of the lawmakers present during the session stood up to vote for Arroyo as their new leader.
Several hours ago, hundreds of lawmakers signed a manifesto expressing their support to elect Arroyo as House Speaker.
Davao City 1st District Representative Karlo Nograles called his colleagues who wanted to vote for Arroyo and several moments after the roll call, the session became full of applause and some lawmakers escorted the former President to the podium, where she took her oath as the new leader of the lower house.
House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo giving her speech after she took oath as the new leader of the lower house.
The microphone at the podium was turned off as Arroyo was taking her oath.
While Arroyo is in the podium, Alvarez welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte at the house, giving confusion to some netizens.
Arroyo is now the first woman to become the Speaker of the House.
Some questioned if Alvarez is going to challenge the legitimacy of Arroyo’s takeover.
Five months ago, the calls to oust Alvarez started when Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte accused the former House Speaker of boasting that he could oust President Duterte anytime.
She also accused Alvarez of calling her as part of the ‘opposition’ for making her own political party instead of joining PDP-Laban.
The Presidential daughter warned Alvarez that he ‘messed with the wrong girl,”.
“Somebody should tell the President what you are doing. How dare you call me part of the opposition. Kapal ng mukha mo. You messed with the wrong girl.” Inday Sara told Alvarez in her social media post.” Inday Sara Duterte said in her social media post.
Netizens are expecting an awkward moment later during the third State of the Nation Address of the President, because of the sudden decision of the House.