The Alan and Allan Comedic Feud

Julian Harish Bhojwani

Are you aware of the phrase, “let’s agree to disagree”? It’s commonly used when individuals are at a gridlock as to what to say next in an argument. Often it causes many to agree to disagree in hopes of ending the debate or conversation. But what if it was not an argument but an agreement; between two influential members of the House of Representatives that represent their own parties?

Former house speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, last September 30, 2020, failed to retire his speakership to Lord Allan Velasco under a term-sharing agreement by both parties. The house voted in majority to keep him in position in a shocking 90% landslide rejection. The term was slated to last for 3 years under the terms and law. Cayetano lasted for three years as the House of Representatives speaker, noting the term's first half. If congress cannot vote on a new leader, the present speaker shall take over the next 3 years. Now, why did Cayetano and Velasco even want a term-sharing agreement?

The top three reasons for this are: For one, congress won’t be required to vote or hold an election on a new house speaker (as long as the agreement is honored). Secondly, there will be no division in opinions on who shall lead, leading to delays that cause gridlocks in passing important legislative agendas. Third, this will grant equal sharing of the position to leading political parties- Nacionalista and PDP-Laban in Congress under the 18th session. These are the terms necessary to Cayetano as he praised the idea of fairness and equal distribution of opportunity for both parties.

So what was the drama all about then?

When Cayetano’s resignation was rejected, he made a statement that shocked Velasco. He wished to retire on his 50th birthday. But Cayetano at the time was just 49 that would require him for an additional year in office. Velasco then accused the house and Cayetano of failing to uphold the term-sharing agreement, which now led to a gridlock in congress. Without a presiding speaker of the house passing important legislative agendas, such as the National Budget, which was being tackled for approval, would be placed in jeopardy. In which Cayetano and Velasco warranted an audience with President Rodrigo Duterte in the Malacañang Palace. After days of a leadership crisis, arguing and convincing within the house of congress, Cayetano was officially ousted from office by lawmakers on October 12, 2020.

Suppose there is anything to learn from this event. The notion of “agree to disagree” is compelling and could have saved the congress from 2 weeks of internal conflict and lost time in approving important laws and bills for the country. The next time you become part of something you see can cause significant conflict, agree to disagree.