Drama, intrigue and disinformation aptly describe the political events that cropped up and stirred the nation before the opening session of the Philippine 18th Congress that is now packed with pro-administration political allies. The suspense of who will lead the House of Representatives ended in an I-told-you-so moment: Alan Peter Cayetano was chosen as Speaker in a term-sharing deal.
The 18th Congress: Drama and denouement
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte gestures as he delivers his state of the nation address at Congress in Manila on July 22, 2019. (Photo by Noel CELIS / AFP)