Lagman: House squabble not yet over

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 24) – An opposition lawmaker believes the fight for House Speakership is not yet over even after Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo denied reports linking her to a supposed plot to oust Speaker Martin Romualdez.

"I am certain Speaker Martin Romualdez has the incriminatory details and evidence regarding the plot to oust him," Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said in a statement Wednesday.

READ: Arroyo denies coup plot vs. Speaker Romualdez

Lagman urged Romualdez to reveal the "inculpatory details" of the rumored coup in the interest of other House members who were left in the dark.

He said this will justify Arroyo's "abrupt, unceremonious, and humiliating demotion from Senior Deputy Speaker to one of the many Deputy Speakers."

Despite the coup rumors, Romualdez has maintained that the House remains intact, and its members should focus on addressing urgent legislation rather than engage in politicking.

READ: 'Occasional moves to destabilize House should be nipped in the bud' – Romualdez

Lagman, however, said he believes the former president will not take her demotion sitting down and may just be "biding her time to make a counteroffensive."

"Although it appears that GMA has accepted her fate, politics is not only a show of force, it is also a show of appearances," Lagman said. "Protagonists kiss and make up in public with daggers behind their backs. Token gestures of amity actually hide enmity."

The Liberal Party president also claimed there were other conspirators involved in the rumored coup.

“But there can be no conspiracy of one. Who are the other conspirators? Why are they not similarly punished? Maybe they do not have any important positions in the House from which they can be demoted," he said.

On May 19, Vice President Sara Duterte resigned from the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats—the biggest political party in the House of Representatives.

READ: Sara Duterte leaves Lakas-CMD, hints at 'political powerplay'