Former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Friday posted on social media her picture with Vice President Sara Duterte, among others, two days after the former was removed as senior deputy speaker and hours following the latter’s resignation from the political party Lakas-CMD.

The former chief executive said it was taken during a lunch hosted by telecommunications tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan as a birthday fete for five celebrators.

Yet the timing and circumstances triggered speculations about the ongoing political dynamics among Arroyo, Duterte,  House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“Picture was taken after May 19 lunch hosted by Mr. Manny Pangilinan for five (5) birthday celebrants: Vice-President Sara Duterte, Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, San Pedro Mayor Art Mercado (far right), Mr. Bong Santamaria (far left) and Ms. Pearl Viernes,” said the caption.

Arroyo on Thursday issued a statement denying reports linking her to an alleged ouster plot against Romualdez. She also congratulated Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales who replaced her.

Read more at: https://tribune.net.ph/2023/05/18/statement-of-former-president-gloria-macapagal-arroyo/

In the same statement, Arroyo bared that she was interested in the position of House Speaker right after Marcos won the presidency last year.

“But it soon became apparent that he (Marcos) was most comfortable with then-Congressman Martin Romualdez as Speaker,” Arroyo wrote in her statement.

Romualdez is president of Lakas-CMD, while Arroyo is chairperson emeritus.