Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Monday night took his oath of office before President Rodrigo Duterte in a private ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang Palace as part of the celebration for his 43rd birthday.
“I am deeply honored to be sworn in by President Duterte who I admire a lot and have a high regard for. I am greatly indebted to him,” Velasco said.
Velasco took his oath three days short of one month after he was elected Speaker by an overwhelming majority of House members.
He was elected to the top position of the House of Representatives on Oct. 12.
Velasco was grateful because his predecessor’s threat to oust him in a coup two weeks after assuming office did not materialize.
He took over from Taguig Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano with whom he had a term-sharing gentlemen’s agreement that Cayetano had refused to honor.
Velasco reiterated his thanks to the President for all his help in making sure the speakership term-sharing agreement he brokered last year would be followed.
The Marinduque lawmaker promised to recompense Duterte’s gesture by carrying out the legislative agenda of the administration in Congress.
Velasco said the House would adhere to the Chief Executive’s call for enabling legislation that would put an end to systemic corruption and protect the interests and welfare of overseas Filipino workers, farmers and fishermen.