TACLOBAN CITY – Despite the ongoing political tension between House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Vice President Sara Duterte, the Tingog party-list remains “pretty confident” of maintaining strong voter support—even in Mindanao, widely considered a Duterte stronghold.
Rep. Jude Acidre, Tingog’s second nominee, said in a media interview on April 6 that their performance-driven approach has earned them consistent backing across regions, regardless of political alignments.
“We never use politics as our yardstick or measurement of performance in these areas. If you’ve noticed, we have around 60 Tingog Centers in Mindanao, all of which are focused on making sure help is available to those who need it,” Acidre said.
He downplayed any potential fallout from the political feud, asserting that “any effects or consequences will be minimal” and that voters will ultimately judge Tingog by its service delivery, not political affiliations.
“Political issues may change over time, but our mandate to deliver services remains the paramount concern of Tingog,” he added.
Tingog, a regional party-list rooted in Eastern Visayas, is closely associated with House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The party has grown into a national player through its outreach centers and healthcare and livelihood programs, many of which operate outside its home region.
Speaker Romualdez is currently locked in a public and political rift with Vice President Sara Duterte, triggered by the House’s impeachment proceedings against her over the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds during her tenure as Secretary of Education.
Despite this high-profile clash, Acidre stressed that Tingog’s focus remains on public service rather than political drama.
For the 2025 midterm elections, Tingog is fielding Andrew Julian Romualdez, the son of Speaker Romualdez, as its first nominee. The Speaker’s wife, Yedda Marie Romualdez, is also seeking reelection under the party-list’s banner.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
