Amid attacks against the Leyte lawmaker
TACLOBAN CITY– Congressmen from Eastern Visayas have rallied behind House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the wake of attacks against him.
In an open letter of support, all 12 members of the House of Representatives expressed their ‘unwavering support’ to Romualdez, who is also the congressman of Leyte’s first district.
Those who signed the letter of support were Reps. Lolita Javier, Anna Veloso-Tuazon, Richard Gomez, and Carl Nicolas, all from Leyte; Rep.Gerardo Espina, Jr. of Biliran; Reps. Luz Mercado and Christopher Yap, both of Southern Leyte; Reps. Stephen James Tan and Michael Reynolds Tan, both of Samar; Rep. Ma. Fe Abunda of Eastern Samar; and Reps. Paul Daza and Harris Christopher Ongchuan, both of Northern Samar.
The lawmakers said that because of Romualdez’s strong leadership, it resulted in the passage of ‘vital legislations’ that benefited the entire Eastern Visayas region.
Romualdez has been the target of verbal attacks, particularly from former president Rodrigo Duterte, after the confidential and intelligence fund of her daughter, Vice President and Education Sec. Sara Duterte, was removed by the Lower House which he is the Speaker.
“Under Speaker Romualdez’s guidance, we have witnessed significant accomplishments, including the passage of bills that promote economic development, health care, education, and infrastructure projects that directly benefit the people of Eastern Visayas,” they said in their letter issued on October 18.
“As district congressmen of Eastern Visayas, we wholeheartedly believe that Speaker Romualdez’s strong leadership of the House of Representatives is essential for the continued growth and prosperity of our region and the entire Philippines,” they added.
They also vowed to continue to support the Leyte congressman acting as the highest official of the Lower House.
Rep. Gomez, in an interview, said that he does not see any reason why he, in particular, would abandon Speaker Romualdez amid the controversy he is involved in at present.
“I support him because he is our Speaker. He is the head of our institution. We cannot back out on our Speaker,” he said.
Gomez also believed that when the confidential and intelligence funds of the Vice President were removed, Congress had a valid reason for it and not due to any political reason.
Duterte is being seen as a leading preferred presidential candidate for the 2028 presidential elections while Romualdez is suspected to be harboring his own presidential ambition to succeed his cousin, President Marcos, Jr.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
