Martin Romualdez: Sara Duterte's HNP, Lakas-CMD to boost alliance ahead of Eleksyon 2022

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte's regional party Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) and the Lakas-Christian Muslims Democrats will strengthen their alliance as Eleksyon 2022 draws near, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez has said.

Romualdez made the remark a day after President Rodrigo Duterte recalled in a speech how he promised to support the Leyte congressman if he ran for vice president in next year's elections.

Asked about his visit to Davao City to greet Sara on her birthday, Romualdez said HNP and Lakas already had a longstanding alliance.

"It started even before the 2019 elections and right now as the Majority Leader, I work closely with the HNP members in the House," Romualdez said.

"We have a close relationship and we are looking forward to strengthening it further as we look towards the 2022 elections," he added.

"We will strengthen our alliance and we will formalize that very soon, at a proper time and what is most mutually convenient to both parties," Romualdez said.

"We have an alliance, we are looking forward to revitalizing it and renewing it for the 2022 elections," he added.

Romualdez's party planned to create a coalition with Sara's HNP even before the 2019 elections.   

Sara even supported Romualdez's bid for the speakership for the House of Representatives.

Romualdez has said that he was thankful for the President's words of support if he ran for vice president. He, however, said that he had yet to decide as regards his plans for next year.

Sara said it was still too early to decide on whether to run or not for next year's polls. 

Romualdez's party mate in the Senate, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., backed his vice presidential bid if he decided to seek the post.

“Lakas-CMD expresses our gratitude to the President for expressing his support to our Party President, House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, if he decides to run for Vice President,” Revilla said in a statement.

“Martin is more than capable. He is highly qualified for the demands of the position.  Consensus builder kasi si Martin. Instead of dwelling on problems, he makes sure he is a part of the solution and sways everyone to do the same,” he added.

No coup vs House leadership

Romualdez dismissed speculations of ouster plots in the House.

"About any disruption of leadership in the House, there is no truth to that. We adhere to the leadership that has been put in place. We support the leadership under Speaker Velasco so there's no truth to that," Romualdez said.

"We are, in fact, working very very harmoniously together and very efficiently at that thanks to all your support as well dito po sa House of Representatives," he added.

Two leaders in the House have already dismissed reports that there was a plan to remove Romualdez from his post. —NB, GMA News