“By resigning as Speaker, Romualdez has willingly submitted himself to the rule of law and due process”
IS THE political career of resigned House Speaker Martin Romualdez over with the possibility that he may be among those charged with alleged involvement in shady flood control and other infrastructure projects?
Or will he be able to clear himself of any wrongdoing or ethical violations and even bring his political career to newer heights in the years ahead?
The latter possibility, of course, remains to be seen. But our guess is that given his education background, legislative record and political acumen, Romualdez is likely to be very much around, despite the challenges he now faces amid the flood control projects mess and his decision to voluntarily step down from the House Speakership.
After all, he’s still the duly elected congressman of the 1st District of Leyte province and from where we sit, still commands the respect of his colleagues in the House of Representatives, based on their majority vote for his second term as Speaker after the midterm polls.
But let’s take a look at his background.
Before Romualdez entered the political arena, he attended Cornell University from 1981 to 1985 where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government degree.
He then moved to Harvard University where he obtained a Certificate of Special Studies in Administration & Management in 1988. Afterwards, he entered the University of the Philippines College of Law, graduating in 1992. He was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1993.
Romualdez’s experience in public service was first tested when he ran for the position of member and eventually president of the Kabataang Barangay in his hometown of Tolosa in Leyte some 30 years ago.
Later, he was elected president of the Kabataang Barangay provincial federation. This experience prepared him adequately for higher positions in government.
From there, Romualdez’s political career further heightened when he was elected as congressman of the 1st District of Leyte in 2007. He served three consecutive terms (2007–2016) in that district. After a break, he returned as Representative for the same district from 2019 onward.
He served as Majority Leader of the House of Representatives in 2019. On July 25, 2022 he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Under his leadership, the House boasted of high legislative output: for example, from July 2022 to June 10 2025, the House processed some 11,557 bills and 2,393 resolutions, passed 1,565 measures, and enacted 287 national and local laws.
As Majority Leader and Speaker, Romualdez facilitated major pieces of legislation.
Among these are the annual national budgets and three Covid-related laws: the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, and the Covid-19 Vaccination Act of 2021; the CREATE Act (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises), and the Salary Standardization Act of 2019. The passage of these laws underscores his vital role in steering legislation aimed at economic development and effective response to health concerns.
Romualdez’s effective leadership in the House was proven when he convened four committees that probed the war on drugs of the Duterte administration and the illegal operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
Among the findings of the Quadcomm was the Vice President should be impeached and held accountable for questionable disbursements of the confidential funds of her office.
Romualdez has held leadership roles in the Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats party and during his Speakership, managed to form a broad alliance of various political parties to work together for relevant laws aimed at enhancing economic growth, political stability and social concord.
Romualdez is also a well-respected Constitutionalist. He is a former president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), an organization tasked to promote, defend, preserve and protect the fundamental law.
In 2024, the Leyte congressman was recognized by Philconsa for his leadership and commitment to constitutional principles.
As things now stand, Romualdez had to step down as House Speaker amid the alleged involvement of certain lawmakers in controversial flood-control projects.
He said he had resigned “so that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure may pursue its mandate freely and fully—without doubt, without interference, and without undue influence.”
Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has defended Romualdez from accusations of links to anomalous flood-control projects, saying it is “unfair” and there is “no evidence that directly imputes Romualdez.”
By resigning as Speaker, the Leyte lawmaker has willingly submitted himself to the rule of law and due process, two cardinal principles in our democratic system, and now wants to clear his name so that he can continue to be of service to the nation in the years ahead.
(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)
