NUP Expels Frasco for Non-Support for Speaker Martin
House Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco has been expelled from the National Unity Party (NUP) after he reportedly refused to sign the manifesto supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez’s continued leadership in the upcoming 20th Congress. This move shocked many, as the NUP is a key player in the supermajority coalition backing Romualdez.
NUP president and outgoing Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte confirmed the expulsion on Saturday, June 7. Villafuerte said, “The party leadership has decided to expel Duke (Frasco) because his unilateral decision not to support Rep. Martin’s continued stay as Speaker in the next Congress is a blatant breach of the NUP’s official position of unequivocal support for the Speaker to keep his premier post.”
Party Unity and Leadership at Stake
The NUP has been clear about its unified stance backing Speaker Romualdez as Congress prepares to convene in July. Villafuerte emphasized that Frasco’s refusal to sign the manifesto goes against the party’s unanimous decision. “Given that this has been the unanimous stance of our party, Duke’s one-man decision to withdraw support runs counter to the NUP’s official manifestation and means his status as a member has become untenable,” the NUP president explained.
Villafuerte added that Frasco should have first discussed his dissenting view with party leaders instead of publicly opposing the party’s position. “It has always been a long-standing policy of NUP for all members to speak and act as one. Going to the media to publicly oppose our party position, especially without prior consultation, is punishable with expulsion,” he said.
Implications for the 20th Congress Leadership
The NUP is one of the largest political parties forming the supermajority coalition supporting the continuation of Romualdez’s leadership. Nearly a month ago, the party formally declared its full backing of Romualdez, highlighting the importance of continuity for the Bagong Pilipinas vision championed by President Marcos.
In its statement, the party said, “The NUP supports 100 percent the continuity of the Bagong Pilipinas agenda of President Marcos for better lives for all Filipinos during the second half of his presidency. For the House to help stay the course of this pro-poor and pro-growth vision, it is crucial for Speaker Martin to remain at the helm to shepherd priority bills that promote inclusive and sustainable growth.”
Frasco’s Silence and Next Steps
As of now, Rep. Frasco has not publicly addressed his expulsion or the reasons behind his refusal to support Speaker Romualdez. Local leaders noted the importance of party unity, especially as the 20th Congress approaches, where critical legislation aligned with the administration’s agenda will be debated.
This incident underscores the challenges political parties face in maintaining cohesion amid differing opinions. For now, the NUP remains steadfast in its support for Speaker Martin, signaling its commitment to the administration’s legislative priorities.
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