Iginiit ng Malacañang na “binding” lamang kina House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano at ni Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco ang gentleman’s agreement na term-sharing.
Sinabi ni Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, hindi saklaw dito ang mga ibang miyembro ng Kamara na malayang makapagdesisyon.
Ayon kay Sec. Roque, kaya nakadepende na kay Rep. Velasco kung makakakuha ito ng sapat na numero o suporta para papalit kay Speaker Cayetano.
Pero umaasa ang Malacañang na igagalang ng dalawang mambabatas ang kasunduang binuo mismo ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa pagbubukas ng 18th Congress.
“That’s what he said ‘no, oo. That’s what he said. But a gentleman’s agreement is binding only on those who agreed to the agreement ‘no. Ang issue is, will that gentleman’s agreement bind every single member of Congress? And that’s why the President recognized that whereas the agreement is valid on the two congressmen, Speaker Cayetano and Congressman Velasco, it does not necessarily bind the 300 or so members of Congress,” ani Sec. Roque.
