Solon dares colleagues to declare Speaker’s seat vacant
A LAWMAKER supporting Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano dared his colleagues to declare the House of Representatives’ top post vacant and hold an election. Anakalusugan Partylist Rep. Michael T. Defensor made the call following Wednesday’s vote rejecting Mr. Cayetano’s announcement of his resignation — or intent to resign — in a privilege speech. “Basically, whatever it was, whether it was resignation or offer for resignation, the vote is a manifestation of the continued support of the overwhelming majority of the House,” Mr. Defensor said in an interview over ANC. “And if in the end, they do not get the numbers then I think we should just continue our work and respect each other,” he added. Meanwhile, members of a party-list bloc warned that the leadership tussle should be closely watched as it relates to strategically re-aligning some “lump sum” appropriations supposedly allocated to the congressional districts of several lawmakers. “Let’s be keen on future developments (in the leadership crisis) to further unveil the interests of lawmakers for pork,” ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France L. Castro said in Filipino during a press conference on Thursday. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
Justice dep’t spokesperson quits
JUSTICE UNDERSECRETARY Mark L. Perete resigned from his post effective immediately, citing “serious reasons” that are “very personal.” Mr. Perete, also the department’s spokesperson, said in a Viber message to reporters early Thursday morning, “After much thought, I have decided to submit my resignation from the DOJ effective today due to serious reasons.” He also said, “I would have liked to continue under Secretary (Menardo I.) Guevarra’s leadership but it would be a disservice to do so at this time. Mr. Perete was appointed in July 2018 under the term of Mr. Guevarra. He previously served as technical assistant with the position of assistant secretary for legal affairs at the Office of the President. Mr. Perete had also been a legal counsel for a private company and a law professor. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
