There appears to be no serious contender for the top post in the House of Representatives as Speaker Martin Romualdez continues to enjoy overwhelming support from a majority of returning and newly elected lawmakers in the incoming 20th Congress, according to key members of the lower chamber.
“With the numbers that presented in front of us, it’s unlikely,” said House Assistant Majority Leader and Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr., when asked during a media briefing if there are serious contenders against Romualdez for the speakership.
“Each vote, each decision by each House member is given weight and importance. Just to be exact, there’s already 283 who signed the manifesto, so that’s an overwhelming majority in the support of Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Dionisio said.
He said those who expressed support for the incumbent Speaker reached 287 in total, but the 283 are the ones who physically signed the manifesto thus far.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong confirmed that 283 lawmakers have already signed the manifesto of support for Romualdez, underscoring the Leyte representative’s strong hold over the chamber heading into the new legislative session.
“Anybody can actually run for the Speaker,” said Adiong. “But the question is whether that person or that Congress member has the number to secure the position. So, what Cong. Ernix said, we have already secured 280 plus signatures supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez to be our Speaker in the 20th Congress,” he further said.
Romualdez’s pool of support has solidified ahead of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), where the official election for Speaker will take place.
The endorsement of 287 lawmakers signals near-unity among members, both from national parties and local district representatives.
When asked about Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco’s recent remarks saying that he will support either incoming congressman Reps. Albee Benitez or Rep. Toby Tiangco for speaker, Adiong emphasized the voluntary nature of the selection process.
“Well, he’s entitled to his opinion, he is entitled to cast his vote to whom he feels for him betting for the position,” said Adiong.
“Nobody is forcing every member to vote for the leader of not their choice, in fact that actually is a manifestation that there is no… that when it comes to the election of the speakership, nobody is being forced here at the House,” he continued.
Adiong added that the manifesto was signed freely and consciously by each lawmaker who supports Romualdez’s continued leadership.
Dionisio echoed the sentiment that the speakership race remains a democratic exercise and that all members are respected regardless of position.
“At the end of the day Congress is a collegial body,” Dionisio said.
