The House of Representatives on Tuesday, Nov. 7, ousted Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab, who are both known allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte, as House Deputy Speakers.
During the House's session, there was a motion to remove Arroyo and elect Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio “Tonypet“ Albano.
A motion to sack Ungab and replace him with Lanao del Sur Rep. Yasser Balindong also surfaced.
Both motions were approved without objections.
Just in> House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo inalis na sa pwesto…Ipinalit sa kanya si Cong. Antonio Albano…
— milky rigonan 💋 (@milkyrigonan) November 7, 2023
House Deputy Speaker Isidro Ungab inalis din at pinalitan ni Cong. Yasser Balindong @dzrhnews
In an official statement released to the media, House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe said the two House solons were axed as they did not sign House Resolution No. 1414 "upholding the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives and to express appreciation, solidarity, and support to the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez."
"This decision stems from the fact that out of the nine Deputy Speakers, only Deputy Speakers Macapagal-Arroyo and Ungab chose not to sign a pivotal House resolution sponsored by the entire leadership," he said.
"This particular resolution was of paramount of importance, as it manifested the collective intention of the House leadership to rise in unison in defense of the institution," Dalipe added.
The Majority Leader furthered that choosing not to sign the resolution meant that Arroyo and Ungab "differ from the collective stance of the leadership."
It can be recalled that in May this year, Arroyo was demoted from her position as Senior Deputy Speaker. She was replaced by Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio 'Dong' Gonzales Jr.
