Duterte: If Romualdez is telling the truth, then good for us

Former President Rodrigo Duterte said it was well and good if Speaker Ferdinand Romualdez was telling the truth about standing up for the integrity of the House of Representatives.

Duterte, in his SMNI television show Gikan sa Masa Para sa Masa, made the response over Romualdez’s earlier vow to fight those who seek to malign the House.

Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales of Pampanga on Monday also indicated that Duterte was the one who maligned the House under Romualdez’s leadership.

“Kung ang sinasabi niya ay totoo, eh di maganda. Wala tayong problema,” Duterte said.

(If he is telling the truth, then good for us. We don’t have a problem.)

“If what he is saying is really true, if it is what is happening right now, then we should be thankful to Romualdez,” he added.

Duterte said he did not harbor any resentment for Gonzales, who resigned as PDP-Laban member and PDP-Laban Treasurer before naming Duterte.

Duterte, the chairman of the PDP-Laban, said he would be fine if he would remain the only member of the party.

“I respect his decision. I would encourage those who are not in tune with us... you are always welcome to go out," Duterte said.

Duterte said the PDP-Laban had a chance to field a new breed of candidates with the May 2025 elections drawing near.

“We can field fresh personalities or faces. We can always rebuild. If it is in tatters, we can rebuild the party anytime. Ang importante kasi diyan, inyong prinsipyo,” Duterte said.

(What is important is the principle.)

“Party principle is important, but the most important is the person. Kung wala kang prinsipyo sa buhay, papayag ka lang kasi pakisama, don't expect me to clap,” he added.

(If you don’t have principles and you just go with the flow, don’t expect me to clap.) —NB, GMA Integrated News