LEYTE Rep. Martin Romualdez, who wants the 20th Congress to prioritize his initiative of bringing down food prices, is expected to be re-elected today as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
As of yesterday, Romualdez had the support of 293 congressmen who signed a manifesto calling for his retention as the leader of the lower chamber, the latest ones being Reps. Girlie Veloso (PL, Malasakit@Bayanihan) and Jorge Bocobo of Tagiug City.
Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero is likewise expected to stay as Senate president in the 20th Congress.
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada had earlier said that at least 16 senators have signed a resolution expressing support for Escudero to remain as Senate president.
Among those who have reportedly signed the resolution are the “siblings” bloc composed of Senators Estrada and JV Ejercito, Raffy and Erwin Tulfo, Mark and Camille Villar, and Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano.
The so-called “Duterte bloc” composed of Senators Ronald dela Rosa, Christopher “Bong” Go, Robin Padilla, Rodante Marcoleta, and Imee Marcos are also expected to back Escudero’s bid to remain as the Senate leader.
In the House, among those who have signed the manifesto supporting Romualdez are Davao Occidental Rep. Claude Bautista, a key ally and a former campaign manager of Vice President Sara Duterte, and former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Arroyo, who is also a staunch Duterte ally.
“Backed by 293 of his peers, Rep. Romualdez has shown that he is not only capable of uniting coalitions, but also of steering the chamber toward productivity and lasting impact,” said Parañaque City Rep. Brian Yamsuan of the National Unity Party (NUP).
Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) said Romualdez’s track record “speaks for itself.” “He has led the House in passing laws that truly matter to the Filipino people, and he has done so by building consensus and keeping the institution stable,” he said.
They underscored that the growing number of lawmakers signing the manifesto reflects broad confidence in Romualdez’s capacity to lead, especially at a time when the House must hit the ground running for the next half of the Marcos administration.
“This is about continuity, competence and a clear path forward. That’s what the House needs. That’s why we support Rep. Romualdez,” Quezon Rep. David Suarez of the ruling Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).
Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin, also of the Lakas-CMD said: “This is about lawmakers coming together to keep the institution strong and service-oriented. And we believe that Rep. Romualdez is best equipped to lead us in that direction.”
The lawmakers credited Romualdez for the passage of 61 out of the 64 Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) priority bills in the 19th Congress.
“Legislation under Rep. Romualdez’s watch has been focused, strategic and always pro-people. That kind of leadership is not easy to come by, and it is even harder to sustain. Yet he has done both,” said Rep. Alfredo Garbin (Pl, Ako Bicol) of the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI)
Romblon Rep. Eleandro Jesus “Budoy” Madrona of the Nacionalista Party (NP) his “guiding principle has always been clear: support what is good for the country, protect the institution, and always prioritize the people’s welfare.”
“Under his speakership, the House passed landmark legislation and maintained a very productive working relationship with the Executive branch, all while staying true to our constitutional mandate. That kind of leadership is both rare and essential,” Madrona added.
Mandaluyong City Rep. Alexandria Gonzales of the NUP, wife of former House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II, said: “I am confident that the 20th Congress will greatly benefit from his (Romualdez) continued leadership.”
Meanwhile, Garin welcomed the report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that food inflation fell by almost half to 4.5 percent in 2024 from 8 percent in 2023, saying that bringing down the prices of basic commodities is on top of Romualdez’s priorities.
