Velasco says he has no plans to run for national post

Newly-elected Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Tuesday said he has no plans to run for a national position.

In an online interview with Daily Tribune, Velasco was asked what makes him different from former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and all the other lawmakers who previously served as the leader of the House of Representatives.

Velasco, in response, said that aside from being the youngest Speaker in recent history, at only 42 years old, he also has no "national ambitions."

"Ako naman kasi I don't have any national ambitions. That's the reason why I always remain in the background," he said.

"I think that's one of the major differences sa inyong lingkod at sa other Speakers. I'm not so sure if they had national ambitions also but ako talaga, I'm just doing this for the sake of the country, for the sake of the President," he added.

According to Velasco, he still would want to stay in the background and work quietly despite already being elected as the new Speaker.

"I just want to keep on delivering yung mga kinakailangan niya. But if you expect me to be out and always seen on TV, mas gusto ko na nasa background na lang kasi medyo shy tayo," he said.

Asked further about what he would do if ever the President includes him in the administration senatorial ticket for the 2022 elections, Velasco said: "That's not in my plans really."

Recalling his experience observing the senatorial candidates under the Hugpong ng Pagbabago party in the 2019 elections, Velasco said he finds campaigning for a national post really exhausting.

"Nakakapagod pala talaga yung ginagawa ng mga senatoriables," he said.

For now, Velasco said he still has a lot to accomplish for his home province of Marinduque.

"I would want to serve kaya lang I still have a lot to do in my province. So I have to finish my work muna sa aking probinsya," he said.

A total of 186 lawmakers elected Velasco as Speaker in a "session" held at an events place in Quezon City on October 12. The following day, the House ratified his election at a session held at the Plenary Hall of the Batasang Pambansa complex. --KBK, GMA News