Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Tuesday endorsed House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez as his successor in the 19th Congress.
“I believe that his election as Speaker of the 19th Congress will ensure that the legislative agenda of the incoming administration will be pursued and completed. Majority Leader Romualdez has my support and friendship,” Velasco said after their meeting in Makati City.
Former Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, incoming Party-list Foundation Coalition Inc. (PCFI) president and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, senior Deputy Majority Leader and Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin Remulla, and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin also attended the meeting.
Velasco thanked Romualdez, whom he described as “a steady partner and ally,” for helping him shepherd the House in the outgoing 18th Congress.
“His strong leadership and support as our Majority Leader was crucial to the passage of relevant and timely pandemic-response measures and the approval of important and key laws that will have immense impact to stir and sustain our economic growth and development as we continue to navigate to new normal,” he said.
“Under his watch, the House was able to carry on and carry out its mandate despite physical limitations due to the pandemic with the passage of priority legislative measures of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Velasco added.
Romualdez expressed his sincere gratitude to Velasco for supporting him.
“I am grateful for your support. From the bottom of my heart, thank you Speaker Velasco,” Romualdez said.
The two House leaders also discussed the official canvass by Congress of the votes for President and Vice President cast in the May 9 elections during their meeting.
The tabulation will be done at the House premises in the Batasan complex in Quezon City. Congress will reconvene on Monday.
The two leaders said they expect a speedy canvass and proclamation of the winners.
On Monday, Nacionalista Party (NP) stalwarts paid a courtesy call on Romualdez to formalize their support for him to be the Speaker in the next Congress.
Romualdez earlier received a torrent of support from members of PDP-Laban, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), National Unity Party (NUP), Liberal Party, and independents.
“I want to express my most sincere gratitude to all these political parties and their members. I am humbled and greatly honored by their statements of support and encouragement. I assure them that I will do my best to serve them well,” Romualdez said.
