DAVAO del Norte Representative and former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez has already conceded to newly-installed House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
In a statement released Wednesday, July 25, just two days after 184 members of the House ousted him and declared Arroyo as their new leader, Alvarez said the House members should now focus on work and move on.
"We cannot undo the past, but we can certainly shape our future. The House of Representatives has chosen a new Speaker in the person of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo," Alvarez said in a statement.
"Alang-alang sa bayan, let us get back to work and move on," he ended.
The scheduled committee hearings at the House of Representatives have been cancelled since the leadership row.
The order of business for the plenary session has also been affected. The bills scheduled to be passed, some on second and third reading remain untouched.
Alvarez met with Arroyo earlier Wednesday.
Arroyo, when asked if Alvarez promised cooperation under her leadership, said, "looks like it."
Arroyo reiterated that she will carry out the legislative agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte and assist the congressmen in addressing the needs of their constituents.
She also said the Arroyo-led House will also prioritize charter change. (Keith A. Calayag/VoxPop Philippines)