Lagman urges Romualdez to reveal ouster details

ALBAY First District Rep. Edcel Lagman has called on Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to release the details regarding a plot to oust him.

Lagman said in a statement on Wednesday that as speaker of the House of Representatives, it is important that Romualdez release the information of an ouster plot allegedly led by former president and Pampanga Second District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. This led to Arroyo’s demotion from senior deputy speaker to a deputy speaker last week.

“I am certain [that] Speaker Martin Romualdez has the incriminatory details and evidence regarding the plot to oust him,” he stated. “It is incumbent for the speaker, in the interest of the House members still in the dark, to

reveal the inculpatory details of a plot by [Arroyo] for her to deserve such an abrupt, unceremonious, and humiliating demotion from senior deputy speaker to one of the many deputy speakers.”

Arroyo has denied the accusations, claiming that she does not want to become the speaker of the House again. She served as House speaker from July 23, 2018 to June 30, 2019.

Pampanga Third District Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. is currently serving as senior deputy speaker.

Lagman, however, believes that there is not only one conspirator in the supposed coup against Romualdez.

“But there can be no conspiracy of one. Who are the other conspirators? Why are they not similarly punished? Maybe they do not have any important positions in the House from which they can be demoted?” he asked. “In hindsight, there should have been first a confrontation between the protagonists before any penalty was imposed.”

Though Arroyo and Romualdez were able to make amends, Lagman believes the drama in the House of Representatives is not yet over and that Arroyo will not take her demotion sitting down.

“Protagonists kiss and make up in public with the daggers behind their backs. Token gestures of amity actually hide enmity,” he added. “Astute and experienced politician that she is, [Arroyo] will not take sitting down her humiliating and insulting demotion. She may be biding her time to make a counter-offensive.”

Arroyo is currently one of the eight deputy speakers in the Lower House.