Velasco backs Martin Romualdez's speakership bid

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Tuesday joined other congressmen in endorsing the speakership of House Majority Leader and reelected Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez in the next Congress.

Velasco made the commitment at a meeting in Makati City, according to Romualdez's camp.

"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 was quoted as saying.

Velasco, who will return to the House of Representatives after his reelection as Marinduque representative, also thanked Romualdez for being a "steady partner and ally" in the 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," Velasco 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 Roa Duterte," he added.

Romualdez, the cousin of presumptive president Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., thanked Velasco for his support.

Also present at the meeting are former Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo, Ako Bicol party-list Representatives Zaldy Co and Alfredo Garbin, and Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Cavite Rep. Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla.

Last week, the National Unity Party, Nationalist People's Coalition, former president and returning Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc., endorsed Romualdez as the next speaker.

At the same meeting, the House leaders also discussed Congress' official canvassing of votes for the presidential and vice presidential elections which will be conducted at the House of Representatives next week.

"The two leaders said they expect a speedy canvass and proclamation of winners," Romualdez's statement read.

Velasco, Romualdez and Taguig Representative Alan Peter Cayetano all vied for the speakership during the opening of the 18th Congress in 2019.

The idea of "term-sharing" came about during the three congressmen's meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte in Japan in 2019.

The President then announced that Cayetano was his bet for the speakership but he would share the three-year term with Velasco while Romualdez would serve as the House majority leader.

The sine die adjournment of 18th Congress will be on June 3. The 19th Congress will open its session on July 25. —NB, GMA News