“In a speech she delivered during the oath-taking of the Leyte congressman in Tacloban last year, Sara expressed her gratitude to Romualdez for being one of her campaign managers”
What should we make of Sara Duterte’s recent pronouncement that House Speaker Martin Romualdez had absolutely no part in her decision to run for the vice presidency in the May 2022 national elections?
Here’s what she actually said on June 7: “It was Sen. Imee Marcos who eventually persuaded me to run as vice president—and it was a decision sealed only after President Bongbong Marcos agreed to the conditions I set before running for VP…There was no Speaker Romualdez in the picture.”
But in a speech she delivered during the oath-taking of the Leyte congressman in Tacloban last year, Sara expressed her gratitude to Romualdez for being one of her campaign managers: “I made sure that I will be with you today so I can express my thankfulness for your support to my candidacy. And not only that, but for your love, your genuine love of my person.”
And more: I’d like to personally thank, publicly thank, Congressman Martin Romualdez for taking me in (as) Lakas-CMD (Christian Muslim Democrats) and accepting the challenge to be one of my two campaign managers during the last elections… It was not without irritations and challenges, but you did very well.”
The 180-degree turn on her part a year later is puzzling, to say the least.
Observers believe it has politics written all over it. But let’s not speculate on the reasons for her surprising volte-face.
Rather, we should probably listen to what Romualdez’s colleagues in the House have to say on this issue.
Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. (Cavite), former president of the National Unity Party (NUP), said Romualdez has “held his horses and remained focused on his job as the leader of the House of Representatives amid this political rift…He never fired back with insults of his own. That shows strength of character.”
The lawmaker also pointed out that Romualdez “never said a bad thing about the vice president despite being the obvious subject of her vicious insinuations,” adding the Speaker “tremendously helped in pushing for the vice-presidential candidacy of Duterte, who was eventually recruited to join Lakas.”
House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe (Zamboanga City, 2nd District) also vouched for Romualdez’ leadership of the House and his ability to secure “multi-partisan support” and seemingly rise above political discord.
The lawmaker also hinted at “premature partisanship,” saying these are “distractions” to the efforts of the House super majority to quickly pass all of Marcos’ priority measures.
For his part, Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Camarines Sur), also a former president of the NUP, emphasized that “improving the lives of all Filipinos, as committed by President Marcos, is the priority in the House on the watch of Speaker Martin in lieu of divisive politics, hence the need for greater unity.”
Then there’s also Rep. Dan Fernandez (Sta. Rosa City), who said Duterte, “who ran and won on a platform espousing unity,” should “join the president in translating this call for unity into action.”
Fernandez, chairman of the House committee on public order and safety, said he agrees with Vice President Duterte in expressing full support for the Marcos administration, but that such declaration is “better fleshed out if it is devoid of political bickering…We should instead work together and keep a laser focus on what needs to be done to ensure a vibrant and prosperous future for all Filipinos.”
Other House leaders, meanwhile, have reaffirmed their support for the Speaker and would rather help him shepherd priority legislation than engage in political mudslinging.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr. cited the 33 bills approved on third and final reading by the chamber and forwarded to the Senate. Only nine of the 42 priority bills remain pending, according to the lawmaker.
Gonzales, who replaced former president Arroyo as senior deputy speaker in the House, lauded the Speaker for what he called a very productive legislative output. “We are focused on matters that are important to our people and to the Marcos administration,” he said.
“One thing is clear: Speaker Martin has created an atmosphere of certainty and trust. His strong, compassionate leadership brought all of us together to work on a single vision: to pass measures focused on achieving a prosperous, inclusive and resilient Philippines,” he noted.
Rep. Johnny Pimentel of Surigao del Sur reminded both administration and opposition lawmakers that “leadership movements” have defused “tensions” in the chamber.
“Let us not exaggerate this anymore,” he said.
“We have so much work to do in Congress to be able to fulfil the President’s agenda of economic renewal and prosperity for all Filipinos.”
Speaker Martin Romualdez has apparently chosen to keep quiet amid the political tumult and would rather concentrate on the tasks at hand.
He commended the joint efforts of the country’s economic managers, lawmakers, and stakeholders for their contributions to economic and social development.
“As the House amply demonstrated, we remain committed to implementing policies that will further stimulate economic activity, attract investments, and generate employment opportunities for our fellow Filipinos,” Romualdez said, adding distractions would not hamper House efforts to offer appropriate and timely solutions to issues affecting the lives of Filipinos.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)