It came as a surprise when former President and senior deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was stripped of her Senior Deputy Speakership last Wednesday, May 17, 2023. It was a move by Congress that has caused speculation of a power struggle in the House. Earlier, there were reports that Arroyo was planning a quo in the House as she wants to return as the Speaker of the House, a position she was holding during the Duterte regime.

A day after, on Thursday, Vice-President Sarah Duterte resigned as the Chair of Lakas-CMD, a political party once chaired by Arroyo. Former President Arroyo is a known friend and supporter of Former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte's father. Is the relationship between Arroyo and Duterte now getting sour?