The 20th Congress convened its first regular session on Monday, reaffirming leadership with the reelection of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero as Senate president. This early vote for key positions highlights entrenched leadership amid shifting political alliances and calls for reform.
Romualdez secured the Speaker role with 269 votes, while 34 lawmakers abstained, signaling a growing minority presence. Despite rumors of a leadership challenge from Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, and Cebu Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco, none officially ran. Frasco declined to endorse Romualdez, emphasizing the need for “unifying leadership.” Meanwhile, Tiangco expressed interest in heading the appropriations committee, and Rep. Janette Garin clarified that Benitez’s son supported Romualdez.
Romualdez’s Leadership and Legislative Output
During the 19th Congress, Romualdez led a prolific session with 11,557 bills filed and 2,393 resolutions, passing 1,565 into law. He anticipates even greater productivity in the 20th Congress, especially with many new lawmakers joining the House, local leaders noted.
Rising Minority and Independent Voices
Romualdez’s reelection triggered a reshuffle in political alignments. A more vocal minority bloc emerged, including Liberal Party stalwarts and progressive lawmakers such as Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima, Dinagat Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, and Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno and Perci Cendana. De Lima remarked, “For the Marcos Jr. administration, this means it can no longer expect quiet compliance. For Speaker Romualdez, it presents both a challenge and an opportunity.”
Several representatives declared themselves independents, refusing to join either the majority or minority. This group includes Tiangco, Benitez, and Davao Reps. Paolo Duterte, Omar Duterte, and Isidro Ungab. Tiangco raised concerns about transparency in the 2025 national budget process. Paolo Duterte notably left the plenary before the speakership vote, stating he would not “lend my name nor my vote to any side that treats leadership as a prize, not a responsibility.”
Benitez blamed Romualdez for controversies surrounding the 2025 General Appropriations Act, saying these issues led to “distrust, disunity, and dysfunction.” Criticism against Romualdez’s tenure also includes attempts to amend the 1987 Constitution, budget cuts to Vice President Sara Duterte’s office, and a failed impeachment complaint dismissed by the Supreme Court. Observers also cited Lakas-CMD’s poor midterm election results and Romualdez’s strained relations with Duterte, whom he supported in 2022.
Escudero Retains Senate Presidency
In the Senate, Francis “Chiz” Escudero kept his post as Senate president, securing 19 votes over former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. Surprisingly, Sotto received only five votes, including his own, plus those from Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Panfilo Lacson, and Risa Hontiveros.
Zubiri, who stepped down as Senate president in May 2024, nominated Sotto as minority leader, a role Sotto accepted with a pledge to serve honorably. “I’ve been a good soldier of this august body since 1992,” Sotto said, promising to fulfill his duties responsibly.
Senate Leadership Stability and Cooperation
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada remained Senate President Pro Tempore, while Sen. Joel Villanueva was elected majority leader and Rules Committee chair. Villanueva, who had reservations about Escudero’s past bids for higher office, praised his steady mentorship and clear focus. “Despite all the political noise, all he really wants is to ‘work, work, work,’” Villanueva remarked.
Escudero’s retention signals continuity in Senate leadership, even as tensions persist between the chambers over issues like the budget and impeachment proceedings, sources said.
For more news and updates on 20th Congress leadership, visit Filipinokami.com.
