By Prince Golez

President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted the apology of Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano for “misreading” his term-sharing deal with new House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Cayetano misunderstood Duterte’s mandate and thought that the agreement would be effective after the passage of the 2021 national budget, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over CNN Philippines’ The Source Wednesday.

“According to Senator Bong Go, [the President] was like a father. Of course, a father would accept an apology from a son. All is well that ends well,” he added.

Cayetano tendered his irrevocable resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives on Tuesday after 186 lawmakers voted to ratify Velasco’s election as the chamber’s new leader.

“The President was very appreciative of the cooperation of both parties. He appreciated the fact that Congress is now focusing on the budget because that has been his call from the beginning to pass the 2021 budget,” said Roque.