MANILA, Philippines – Former President and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo sought to put an end to speculations that she was out to wrest the top post of the House of Representatives from Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, stressing that she was not keen on it.
“Not interested,” she said when asked about the speakership.
She also said she had not met with Davao Rep. Antonio “Tonyboy” Floirendo Jr., who was rumored to be the one egging on Arroyo to lead the chamber.
Floirendo had a spat with Alvarez, his long-time buddy, which allegedly started with the feud of their girlfriends.
In March, Arroyo was removed by Alvarez as deputy speaker for voting against the death penalty bill.
Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Arroyo said she was delighted with the Supreme Court decision, upholding with finality her acquittal from the plunder charges in connection with the use of P366 million Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office fund.
“I feel fortunate that I was given the chance to clear my name. It is truly a vindication,” Arroyo said.
“We can now move forward and take stock of what remains to be done to help this current administration achieve its goals of giving a better life to all Filipinos,” she added.
