Romualdez reelected Speaker for 20th Congress

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was reelected as Speaker of the House of Representatives during the opening of the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress Monday.

Romualdez secured his second consecutive stint as top House leader with 269 votes after his nomination was supported by the following political parties:

• Party-list Coalition represented by TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza
• Lakas-CMD represented by Quezon Rep. Jayjay Suarez 
• Nationalist People’s Coalition represented by Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga 
• Nacionalista Party represented by Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Emano 
• National Unity Party represented by Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno 
• Partido Federal ng Pilipinas represented by Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos

"I rise today to nominate a man whose leadership has been tested, proven, and deeply felt across this chamber and beyond: the Honorable Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. In the 19th Congress, Speaker Romualdez steered this institution with both resolve and wisdom," Suarez said.

"Under his stewardship, the House of Representatives became a true House of the People — responsive to the needs of the nation, attuned to the voice of the common Filipino, and anchored in the values of unity, service, and progress," he added. 

Suarez also said that Romualdez works hard not for the spotlight, but for results. 

"His leadership transcends titles; it is grounded in listening, guided by principle, and driven by an enduring faith in the Filipino people. Under his watch, he delivered one of the most productive and purposeful legislative terms in recent memory. We passed priority measures that advanced the goals of Bagong Pilipinas, empowered communities, and created pathways for inclusive and sustainable growth," he said.

"Let us entrust the Speakership to a man who has already shown us what dignified, decisive, and compassionate leadership looks like," Suarez further said.

No other lawmaker was nominated for the post.

At least 291 members of the House earlier signed a manifesto supporting Romualdez’s reelection, including Pampanga Rep. and former President Gloria Arroyo and 19th Congress House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan.

Also elected as Senior Deputy Speaker during Monday’s session was Suarez, alongside the following House Deputy Speakers:

• Janette Garin  of Iloilo, 1st District
• Yasser Alonto Balindong of Lanao del Sur
• Paolo Ortega V of La Union
• Jay Khonghun of Zambales
• Kristine Singson-Meehan of Ilocos Sur,
• Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo
• Faustino Dy III of Isabela
• Ferjenel Biron of Iloilo and
• Raymond Democrito Mendoza of TUCP partylist

Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, son of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Romualdez', was elected as House Majority Leader.

All the House members who did not vote for Romualdez will elect their leader in a separate election. Libanan is expected to be reelected as minority leader. —AOL/ VAL, GMA Integrated News