Arroyo Supports Romualdez for Speakership
Former President and current Pampanga 2nd District Representative Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has decided not to run for the speakership of the 20th Congress House of Representatives. Instead, she is lending her support to Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, the speaker during the 19th Congress.
Arroyo’s office confirmed this development on Friday, stating that she is among the Lakas-CMD members who signed a manifesto backing Romualdez’s bid. “Former President and now Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not running for speaker and has signed the Lakas-CMD manifesto of support,” her office told reporters.
Surge of Support for Romualdez’s Bid
Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin announced on Thursday that 291 lawmakers have declared their support for Romualdez. This group includes Arroyo and Davao Occidental Representative Claude Bautista, both closely linked to Vice President Sara Duterte.
Arroyo is known as the vice president’s mentor, while Bautista once served as her campaign manager. Their backing strengthens Romualdez’s position, especially amid the political shifts following the 2022 presidential election.
Political Alliances and Rivalries
Vice President Sara Duterte experienced a rift with the current administration after she and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ran together with Romualdez as Marcos’s campaign manager. This has added complexity to the dynamics within Congress.
Additionally, Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javi Benitez, son of Bacolod Representative Albee Benitez—once rumored to be a speakership contender—also signed the manifesto supporting Romualdez.
Other Speakership Aspirants
Besides Romualdez and Benitez, Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco and Cebu 5th District Representative Vincent Franco Frasco remain potential contenders. Tiangco managed the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate’s campaign.
However, support for Romualdez remains strong. Deputy Speaker David Suarez revealed in May that 285 lawmakers had already endorsed Romualdez, reflecting President Marcos Jr.’s call for unity.
Broad Coalition Backing Romualdez
The supermajority coalition includes Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, the Nacionalista Party, National Unity Party, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc., and even the Liberal Party, sources said. This diverse alliance signals widespread approval of Romualdez’s leadership.
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