Strong Support Emerges for Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez Speakership
MANILA, Philippines — A remarkable 291 lawmakers have voiced their backing for Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress, local leaders noted on Thursday. This overwhelming support highlights Romualdez’s powerful influence and widespread acceptance across various political groups.
During an online briefing, Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin announced that the latest manifesto endorsing Romualdez includes prominent figures such as former president and Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, along with Davao Occidental Rep. Claude Bautista. Both lawmakers are known close allies of Vice President Sara Duterte — Arroyo as a mentor and Bautista as a former campaign manager.
Broad Coalition Unites Behind Romualdez’s Leadership
“I was surprised to learn yesterday that 291 members of the 20th Congress had signed the manifesto of support for the Speaker of the 19th Congress, who is now reelected as the representative of Leyte’s 1st District, Congressman Martin Romualdez. That’s 291 — a very large number, considering that there are only a little over 300 members,” Garin shared in Filipino.
She further expressed astonishment seeing who signed the manifesto: “And I was even more surprised when I saw who had signed — our former president, Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Congressman Claude Bautista, a good friend and one of the campaign managers of Vice President Inday Sara,” she added in a mix of Filipino and English.
Garin also revealed that Negros Occidental 3rd District Rep. Javi Benitez, son of Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez — rumored to have considered the speakership — was among the endorsers. Additionally, the new party-list representative for Senator Bong Go’s Malasakit party-list signed the manifesto.
“If you look at the profile of those who have expressed support for Congressman Martin Romualdez to continue as Speaker in the 20th Congress, you’ll see that they come from all sectors, all affiliations,” Garin noted in Filipino.
Clear Path to Speakership in the 20th Congress
While the official election for Speaker has yet to take place, Garin confidently stated, “Of course, the election hasn’t happened yet, but based on how things are going — and I’ve been in Congress a long time, this is my sixth term and the last of my second round — it’s clear, very clear, that Congressman Martin Romualdez will be the next Speaker of the 20th Congress.”
Previously in May, the 19th Congress Deputy Speaker David Suarez reported 285 lawmakers had already pledged support to Romualdez, underscoring President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call for unity within the House.
The supermajority coalition backing Romualdez consists of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (the party of both Suarez and Romualdez), the Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., and the Liberal Party, sources said.
Other Potential Speakership Contenders
Aside from Romualdez and Benitez, lawmakers reportedly eyeing the speakership include Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, campaign manager of the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate, and Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco.
According to Garin, Romualdez’s wide-ranging support stems from his ability to unify diverse groups in the House.
“Well, first of all, the speakership is usually based on two things: having the administration’s support and showing the ability to lead and serve,” she said in Filipino.
For more news and updates on Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez speakership, visit Filipinokami.com.
