By Charissa Luci-Atienza Brace for a leadership coup d’etat in the House of Representatives in the 18th Congress. Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate (Bayan Muna Partylist / FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) This was the warning issued by the Makayaban lawmakers, as they see an “unstable” and “fractious” 18th Congress. “Nandyan ang threat (coup), kita nyo naman nung 17th Congress, first year pa lang ng Alvarez speakership nandyan ang ugong ng pagpapalit ng Speaker how much more ngayon, fractious na talaga sya,” Speakership candidate and Bayan Muna partylist Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate told reporters in a press conference. Lawmakers ousted Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez as Speaker and replaced him with Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, making her the first female Speaker on July 23, 2018, the same day when 17th Congress opened its third regular session. “Ang coalition na nagpatalsik  ay same coalition na nagbabanggaan ngayon. It is bound to happen in the coming days. It is no good for the institution and the people,” Zarate said, rejecting anew the proposed term-sharing for the Speakership bets. For their part, Gabriela partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas and ACT Teachers partylist Rep. France Castro laments that the Speakership fight already overshadowed the upcoming fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte on July 22. “Antabayan natin sa umpisa pa lang, eksena na talaga yan, eksena na ang SONA umpisang-umpisa pa lang. Hindi na nga ang Presidente ang tutok kundi ang mga naglalabanan na personalidad,” Brosas said. “Isa lang ang permanente dito ang personal interest, 'yung sariling kapakanan. It is anybody’s ball game, parang agawang buko kung sino makakakuha nyan, sila na yun,” Castro said. The ACT Teachers lawmaker said she sees that those scrambling to get the fourth highest post in the land wanted to secure their political ambition for the 2022 elections. “Baket ba nagkukumahug sa Speakership? Kung sinuman ang maging Speaker, preparation ito para sa 2022 elections,” Castro said. Zarate maintained that the proposed term-sharing is a clear example of patronage politics. “Hindi ito para sa kagalingan ng interes ng Kamara as institution. Malinaw na ang term-sharing ay accommodation para pagbigyan ang makikitid na interest ng mga tumtatakbo,  a clear example how patronage politics is at play,” he said. “'Yung term sharing na yan, temporary solution to prevent the inevitable,” he added. Zarate earlier said the Hugpong ng Pagbabago’s endorsement of the Speakership bid of Davao Rep. Isidro Ungab as its candidate for Speaker was only aimed at addressing the “disarray” and “widening cracks” within the majority coalition. He said it seeks to prevent the “inevitable division” of the administration coalition, as their candidates pitted against each other. The HNP has suggested that Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano take the Majority Leader position, Marinduqe Rep. Lord Alan Velasco to take the Appropriations Committee, and Leyte Rep.  Martin Romualdez to head the Accounts Committee. “Will that solve anything? Acceptable ba sa mga so-called frontrunners? ‘Yung iba dyan nagtratrabaho na before. In the end, I think it is still President Duterte who will be the one to pick who will be the next Speaker,”  Zarate said. “He wants to play this out until July 22, kung sino ay maiiwan dyan, 'yun ang pipiliin nya,” he said.