DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/18 May) — Vice President Sara Duterte suggested that her brother, Paolo, who won a third term as 1st district Representative to Congress, should aim for the position of House Speaker or, at the very least, Minority Leader when the 20th Congress opens on June 30. “Well, I told him, if he does not win as Speaker, then get the minority. But he hasn’t answered me. So I guess he’s still thinking about it,” she said. The Speaker is the fourth highest official in the Philippine government, elected by a majority vote at the start of each Congress, and presides over sessions, decides on questions of order, and oversees administrative functions. The Minority Leader, elected by the minority party, serves as its spokesperson but does not necessarily lead all minority factions. Vice President Duterte clarified she is not endorsing any candidate for House Speaker or Senate President. She resigned as chair of Lakas–CMD in May 2023, citing a need to distance herself from “political toxicity.” The 20th Congress will include two Dutertes: Paolo in his
