By Ben Rosario A neophyte congressman being catapulted as the next speaker of the House of Representatives may be a possibility when the 18th Congress opens next month. All that a newbie solon needs is to solidify all 145 neophytes and get the support of 12 veteran solons to join their cause if anybody from the batch of first-termers is interested to become the next speaker of the chamber. (EPA / MANILA BULLETIN) Davao City congressman-elect Paulo Duterte, a neophyte, has been touted as a candidate for speaker when talk about the speakership heated up shortly after the May 13 elections. But Duterte, eldest son of President Duterte, quickly denied he is interested in the position. After the Davao City solon, no other name among the new congressmen-elect has surfaced in the speakership race. As of now, those seeking the top post are veteran legislators, namely: Reps. Pantaleon Alvarez (PDP-Laban, Davao del Norte); Lord Allan Velasco (PDP-Laban, Marinduque); Aurelio Gonzales (PDP-Laban, Pampanga); Alan Peter Cayetano (NP, Taguig-Pateros); and Martin Romualdez (Lakas, Leyte). 1Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero’s name has also surfaced as a possible candidate with a strong chance of winning. But Romero has previously declared disinterest in the position. Romero is the president of the Partylist Coalition Foundation, Inc. which has emerged as the second biggest polittcal bloc in the Lower House. House Secretary General Roberto Maling said nearly half of the number of members of the 18th Congress are new congressmen. Maling said a maximum 145 new congressmen will sit, but the number may either increase or decrease depending on the outcome of electoral contests and the result of special elections for congressman. According to Maling, the Lower House will have a total 305 or 306 members who shall elect the next speaker when regular session resumes on July 28. The first batch of newcomers, around 22 of them, were present at a two-day “Executive Course on Legislation for the new members of the 18th Congress” that was held at the Lower House on Monday. Maling said the course, which will also contain orientation on rules of the Lower House, will be offered to all neophytes who were divided by three batches due to the huge number of newcomers. The lectures are being conducted by the Center for Policy and Executive Development, the University of the Philippines, and the National College of Public Administration and Governance. He said that at the end of the course, participants are expected to have “gained knowledge, honed skills, and imbibed good values on policymaking, particularly on development policy, planning and programming” as they carry out their tasks as legislators.