Pulong slams speakership race as ‘political circus’

First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Z. Duterte, in a statement, bared that he opted not to vote for House Speaker nor join the Minority Bloc, thus calling it a “political circus” that ignores the Filipino people.

“I did not vote for Speaker and I did not join the so-called Minority because I refuse to take part in a political circus that has long forgotten who it is supposed to serve — the Filipino people,” he said.

“I represent the people of Davao City, not the political puppeteers nor the self-serving actors parading as public servants in Congress,” he continued. “I will not lend my name nor my vote to any side that treats leadership as a prize, not a responsibility.”

Duterte was with other members of the Davao bloc — 1st District Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte, 2nd District Rep. Omar Duterte, and PPP Partylist Rep. Harold Duterte — who were present during the roll call at the opening session of the 20th Congress on July 28, 2025, but opted not to participate in the voting for House Speaker.

He also stated that the House of Representatives today looks less like a chamber of the people, and more like a hollow theater where the script is written by the powerful, and the rest are left hanging.

“If standing up for dignity and refusing to join this farce is seen as defiance, then so be it. I did not run for Congress to play along. I ran to represent the interests of my constituents — with honor, conviction, and the courage to walk away from what is wrong,”

On the other hand, Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro T. Ungab echoed the call for independence in his statement after the voting session.

“Members of the House who choose not to affiliate with either the majority or minority can rightfully be considered independent members,” he said.

He also cited legislative precedents in both the Philippines and international bodies, including the U.S. Congress and British Parliament, where lawmakers have chosen to remain independent to uphold impartiality and principle.

“This decision reflects my commitment to serve my district and the nation without being tied to partisan interests,” he added.

Duterte and Ungab’s gesture prompted Dabawenyos, who mostly posted on their social media accounts, to stand with their decision in what they think is good for the country and the city of Davao.