Former President and now Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal on Wednesday, Nov. 8, asserted she has been supportive of the leadership of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and had no plans to remove the latter from his position.
In an official statement posted on her Facebook page, Arroyo said she learned that she was stripped of her Deputy Speaker title due to her non-signing of House Resolution No. (HRN) 1414 "upholding the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives and to express appreciation, solidarity, and support to the leadership" of Romualdez.
"I was abroad when the Resolution was signed, so I was unable to sign it. In any case, that resolution does not contain anything new for me, because I have always supported his leadership as Speaker," she said.
The Congresswoman underscored that she first manifested her support for Romualdez when she learned that the latter was preferred by President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. for the Speaker position.
Arroyo once again debunked the rumored plot against Romualdez.
"I have never taken or support any action to remove Speaker from his position. In fact, I have publicly stated that I have given up any plans to aspire for the speakership again, in this and any future Congress that I would have the honor to be part of," she said.
The former President underscored that "there is always intrigue in politics, often petty."
"If some intriguers were able to convince Speaker Romualdez of the falsehood that I do not support his leadership in the House, then there is nothing I can do," she added.
Arroyo conveyed even though she is now an ordinary Congressman, she would remain true to her word to Marcos of supporting Romualdez.
"Having made myself clear, I think we should now move on to more pressing national concerns," she furthered.
On Tuesday evening, House members did not object to the motion to remove Arroyo and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab as House Deputy Speakers.
Arroyo and Ungab were replaced by Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio “Tonypet“ Albano and Lanao del Sur Rep. Yasser Balindong, respectively.
According to House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, the decision stemmed from the fact that two axed House solons did not sign the HRN 1414.
