OUTGOING majority leader and incoming speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez yesterday took his oath as representative of Leyte’s first district, vowing to closely work with the administration of his cousin, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Romualdez, who won his reelection bid unopposed, made the remarks after his oath-taking at the Remedios T. Romualdez Medical Foundation Gymnasium in Calanipawan Road before Rodolfo Padillo, chairman of Barangay 109-A.
Romualdez’ wife, Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (PL, Tingog), and fellow incoming Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez also took their oaths.
In his speech, the next Speaker highlighted the challenges the Marcos administration would face, saying the biggest one would be reducing poverty through the attainment of inclusive growth.
(Everyone should reap the fruits of progress). That is what we aim for in Tacloban and even in the whole of Eastern Visayas in the next three years under my next term as your representative in the 19th Congress,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.
Romualdez said the goal may be a “tall order,” given that inflation is rising, the budget deficit is widening, and the global economic outlook is bleak.
However, he said, the election of “dynamic and compassionate leaders at the highest levels of government gives us all hope of a brighter future.”
Marcos Jr., in a video message during the oath-taking ceremonies, reiterated he would need everyone’s support to make the Filipinos’ lives better.
“I look forward to working with you all very, very closely. As I say to all… the problems we are facing now and post-pandemic are going to be serious challenges and that is why I ask all of you for your help in making the country better and making the lives of our people better. But today, let us celebrate the oath-taking of our officials, and congratulations from me. Looking forward to working with you in the next six years. Congratulations,” he said.
Vice President-elect Sara Duterte-Carpio, who attended the event, said she personally wanted to thank not just her campaign manager – Romualdez – who took her in at the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats but also the people of Tacloban who supported her vice presidential bid despite her failure to visit them during the campaign.
“So I’m truly thankful for all that happened because, it was a learning experience from me, and I am appreciative of all that you have taught me, kayong lahat, mga kababayan ko, and I commit to be beside you in the service of our country,” she also said.
Romualdez said the people “can look forward to a better life” under the leadership of Marcos Jr. and Duterte-Carpio who “share with us our dream of a better generation for our children not only here in Tacloban and Eastern Visayas, but in all parts of the country.” — With Jocelyn Montemayor
