NATION | Gloria Arroyo to be replaced as deputy speaker, says Alvarez

Former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Monday, September 5, 2016, shares a light moment with Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro during a press briefing regarding President Rodrigo Duterte's decision to declare a State of Lawlessness following a deadly attack in Davao City last week/GMANews

MANILA - Former President and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be replaced as House deputy speaker, in line with her opposition to the measure that seeks to reimpose death penalty for heinous crimes.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez made the announcement in an interview after the majority gathered for a caucus on Wednesday afternoon.

“We will have to replace her as deputy speaker,” Alvarez replied when asked about Arroyo’s anti-death penalty stand.

 

Alvarez said he “hasn’t spoken” with her, but already “instructed” Majority Leader Rodolfo Fariñas to do so.

 

This is in line with the Speaker’s apparent stand that House leaders who cannot support House Bill No. 4727 will be replaced.

Arroyo did not grant any interview after emerging from the caucus, but GMA News Online is already seeking her camp for comment.

Arroyo, then president, signed Republic Act 9346, which abolished capital punishment, in 2006.

She has maintained her stand on the matter since.

Arroyo said she has raised her opposition with President Rodrigo Duterte, who is pushing for the measure, adding that he said it was “all right” with him. — MDM, GMA News