Party leaders in House meet to discuss 20th Congress, committees

Leaders of political parties in the House of Representatives met on Friday to discuss the incoming 20th Congress, including committee assignments, a day after the Commission on Elections completed the national canvass in Eleksyon 2025.

House Deputy Speaker David "Jay-jay" Suarez, who won reelection as representative of the second district of Quezon, said there was much to be done so that the House can immediately function when they start work on July 1.

"We have three years, and we have 315 congressmen. So there's so much work and preparation that needs to be done, especially when it comes to issues like committee assignments," Suarez said.

Several legislators also expressed support for Leyte 1st district Rep Martin Romualdez as Speaker.

Romualdez is the president of Lakas CMD, which has more than 100 members in the incoming 20th Congress.

“We’re the dominant majority party. Kung hindi po ako nagkakamali, we have around 105 elected congressmen and we're 100% behind the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, of course, under the banner of continuity,” Suarez said.

When asked if there were other contenders for the speakership in the 20th Congress, Suarez replied, “I do not know of any other person or personality. Only Speaker Martin.”

“I don't think there is any change in leadership that will happen in the House,” Suarez said.

Nationalist People’s Coalition Spokesperson and Quezon 1st district Rep Mark Enverga, who was present at the meeting, said he has not heard of any rumors on the alleged impending change in leadership in the House of Representatives.

“We believe that Speaker Martin will continue his term as speaker. I guess it's a matter of discussing it... in the coming month or soon enough," Enverga said.

Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor, who is a member of the National Unity Party, also said that he has not heard such rumors nor has he received any requests to support a change in leadership.

“I have been reading and hearing the same rumors of changes in the House leadership for the 20th Congress. No formal invitation or request has reached me to change the Speaker of the House,” Defensor said.

“I continue to support the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he added. –NB, GMA Integrated News

For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.