MANILA (UPDATE) — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved on second reading the P4.5-trillion 2021 national budget upon House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano's motion, terminating deliberations on the spending plan amid his leadership tussle with Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

Debunking claims that he is holding the 2021 Budget hostage, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano moves to terminate debates on 2021 Budget and approve it on 2nd reading.

House Approves on 2nd reading in ayes and nayes vote.
Session is suspend till November 16, 3pm

— RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News (@R_G_Cruz888) October 6, 2020

"Applying section 55 of our rules, I move to terminate the period of debate on House Bill 7727, or General Appropriations Bill (GAB)," Cayetano said as he rounded up a privilege speech that again touched on his wrangling with Velasco for the speakership.

Along with this, Cayetano created a panel to entertain committee and individual amendments. Lawmakers may submit their proposed amendments until November 5.

In an "ayes and nayes" vote, majority of the lawmakers present in the plenary and via Zoom affirmed Cayetano's move.

Another solon then moved to suspend the House session until November 16, which was also affirmed.

This developed as Velasco sought to enforce a term-sharing agreement with Cayetano brokered by President Rodrigo Duterte, which was to take effect on October 14.

He also accused Cayetano of holding the 2021 budget hostage so he could stay at the House helm.

• Velasco accuses Cayetano of holding national budget hostage

In his speech, Cayetano again said he sought to stay put until December for the sake of the budget, but that Velasco would not give way.

• Duterte wants Velasco-Cayetano term-sharing deal enforced: colleagues

Under the "gentleman's agreement" that Duterte brokered last year, Cayetano will lead the House for the first 15 months of the 18th Congress or until October, while Velasco would assume leadership for the next 21 months.

Last Wednesday, Cayetano offered to resign, but a majority of lawmakers rejected his move.

• Palace: Duterte told Velasco he 'had right' ro run for House Speaker

Meanwhile, Malacañang said it welcomed the chamber's "timely approval" of GAB but maintained it had no intention to interfere in an "internal matter."

"That is a purely internal matter of the HOR even as we thank the House for their timely passage of the 2021 budget," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

— Reports from RG Cruz, Jamaine Punzalan, and Jauhn Etienne Villaruel, ABS-CBN News