Charles Teves
Taguig Representative Alan Peter Cayetano on Friday expressed disapproval with Bulacan Representative Jonathan Alvarado’s removal from the position of Chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.
DIWA Party-list Rep. Michael Aglipay replaced Alvarado on Wednesday under the leadership of House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque.
ABS-CBN reporter RG Cruz broke the news on Twitter.
“House of Representatives elects DIWA Party List Rep. Michael Aglipay as the new chairman of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, vice Bulacan Rep. Jose Antonio Sy Alvarado,” he said.
Cayetano felt like Velasco betrayed his promise of not removing his deputy speakers from their current posts.
“Well tandaan nyo po, ginawang isyu sa akin yung palabra de honor, sabi nila may usapan, ako naman sumusunod lang sa Pangulo. Nung sinabing hanggang December, sinusunod ko siya. Nung sinabing ibigay mo na [ang Speakership], ibinigay ko naman, but kaharap ako nung nangako si Congressman Velasco na walang papalitan dahil ang coalition naman, ay coalition din ng tao niya, supporters niya, supporters ni Martin Romualdez, supporters ko, and of course, lahat ito ay supporter ng ating Pangulo,” Cayetano said in a chance interview.
He defended Alvarado saying that he was an advocate against corruption.
“Outstanding ang performance ni Jonathan so walang dahilan. Having said that, I said, I’m an observer from the outside, pero medyo divisive ang pangyayari,” Cayetano said.
“We wish the new chairman the best pero sayang po, kasi ang ganda ng mga sinimulan ni Congressman Jonathan Sy-Alvarado,” he added.
Alvarado’s ouster follows the booting of other Cayetano allies such as Rep. Dan Fernandez, Raneo Abu, and Ron Salo.
During the House deliberations on ABS-CBN’s bid for a franchise renewal, it was clear that Alvarado was on the opposition.
He was one of the 70 lawmakers who voted to reject ABS-CBN’s franchise.
Kapamilya supporters are praying that the continuous leadership change will give the network a better chance at succeeding in the event it would go for another franchise application.
ABS-CBN has been revived thanks to its deal with Zoe Broadcasting Network which allows various of its programs to be aired on the A2Z Channel 11.
