Marinduque solon claims his speakership bid has the support of the President, Sara Duterte

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 23) — Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Jay Velasco confirmed his speakership bid Thursday, claiming he has the support of President Rodrigo Duterte and his daughter, who was supposedly responsible for the ouster of the previous House Speaker.

Velasco, who has been elusive to the media, claimed he has the trust of the President. He said he also earned Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's trust while they were campaigning under Hugpong ng Pagbabago, the presidential daughter's regional political alliance.

"I think I have their trust and confidence. I think the president will announce soon. Hopefully. Or if not, I think Mayor Inday has been vocal about it na," Velasco told reporters.

At least three are eyeing the speakership within the ruling party, PDP-Laban: Velasco, Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales and Former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

Alvarez was ousted on the day of President Rodrigo Duterte's third State of the Nation Address in 2018, and was replaced by Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The President had said Duterte-Carpio had a hand in Alvarez' ouster.

Velasco met with the Party-list Coalition Foundation -- a House bloc of lawmakers -- to court their support for his speakership bid.

He said the group is a force to reckon with since its more than 50 members representing party-list groups will vote as a bloc.

Others eyeing the speakership are Leyte Representative-elect Martin Romualdez and Taguig Representative-elect Alan Peter Cayetano.