By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After it was earlier reported that Negros Occidental fifth district Rep. Marilou Arroyo was not present for the recent vote for house speaker, she confirmed backing Taguig-Pateros lone district Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano for house speaker.
The freshman legislator affirmed she was present at the time of the vote.
Among the eight legislators representing Negros Occidental in the House of Representatives, Abang Lingkod partylist Rep. Stephen Paduano was the only one to support Manila sixth district Rep. Bienvenido Abante, Jr. When asked about his choice, the congressman explained that he is currently in position to become deputy minority leader and, as leader of the Partylist Coalition, he is hoping to be appointed to the post, which is ultimately approved by the house speaker.
The deputy minority leader serves on all congressional committees.
Cayetano won the race for house speaker with 266 voting in favor of Cayetano and 28 backing Abante.
Cayetano will be “sharing” the term with Marinduque lone district Rep. Lord Allan Jay Velasco with the latter taking the gavel after 15 months./DGB, WDJ