By Charissa Luci-Atienza  Lawmakers belonging to the National Unity Party (NUP), and two other major parties continue to stand behind the leadership of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano. House of the Representatives (Manila Bulletin File Photo) National Unity Party (NUP) president and Cavite 4th district Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr., said the expression of support was made during a meeting on Monday night (March 2) with Cayetano. He clarified that what happened on Monday night was a meeting and not a caucus where two big political parties--NUP and Nacionalista Party have been invited by the Speaker. "The Speaker asked us what is our position, and we answered politely and truthfully, that the NUP is behind him," he told reporters in an interview. Also joining the meeting were lawmakers who are officials of NP, led by Deputy Speaker and Batangas 2nd district Rep. Raneo Abu, and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), led by House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez. "The Nacionalista Party speaking through Deputy Speaker Abu is also supportive of the Speaker and even, the Lakas through the Majority Leader Romualdez," Barzaga said. He said during the meeting, Cayetano told them the reasons why Davao City 3rd district Rep. Isidro Ungab, and Oriental Mindoro 1st district Rep. Doy Leachon were replaced as chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, and head of the House contingent to the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET), respectively. "He told us there are instances that there have been some realignments which he did not know. When something happens in the House, especially with regards to budget, there should be proper information that should be given to the Speaker," Barzaga said. He said Leachon was replaced as head of the House contingent to the HRET for his supposed uncivil remarks against the Speaker. "Being the Speaker, he is entitled to some dignity. That is why we don't want to make uncivil remarks as much as the Speaker is concerned," he said. In a statement, Deputy Speaker and Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte said among the reasons for the "unceremonious" ouster of Leachon were "the clear conflict of interest in his chairmanship of the HRET and his apparent failure to address reports that fellow legislators with pending electoral protests were being promised with favorable decisions by the panel in return for cash." "Having been stripped of his HRET chairmanship, Rep. Leachon now has time on his hands to reflect on his fall from grace and seek atonement for his misdeeds ahead of Lent,” he said. Barzaga, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said Cayetano relayed to them that there were 20 congressmen who were offered chairmanships, however the latter did not elaborate and name names. He said a coup, or change in committee leaderships is a far-fetched scenario before March 14 break. "I don't think there will be a coup, or a change in leadership until the 15-21 agreement has not yet ended," he said. Under the 15-21 term sharing agreement, Cayetano will remain as Speaker until October this year and will be succeeded by Marinduque lone district Rep. Lord Alan Jay Velasco. READ MORE: House panels heads undergo rigodon amid coup rumors