SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez did not solicit support from 41 new lawmakers for his continued leadership of the House of Representatives, nor did he discuss the possible impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. According to two senior House members .
Speaker Romualdez met with the neophytes and reelected House members in a fellowship dinner on Wednesday. The event capped a three-day orientation seminar for the incoming lawmakers.
Assistant Majority Leader and Manila Rep. Ernesto “Ernix” Dionisio and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who chairs the House
Ad Hoc Committee on Marawi Rehabilitation and Victims’ Compensation, said their House boss talked mostly about giving guidance and support to the new House members.
Dionisio and Adiong have won a new term in their respective districts. They will thus be part of the 20th Congress that will convene on July 28, which is also the day when President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. will deliver his annual State of the Nation Address (SONA) before a joint House-Senate session.
“Wala namang appeal na mga ganun for the speakership. It was mainly to give guidance and show support to the new members of the House. Speaker Martin was simply showing, ‘yung guiding the new members on how they could become effective leaders of their respective districts,” Dionisio said.
“Again, in terms of asking for support for the speakership, there’s not a single iota of request or anything of that sort,” he said.
Adiong said the fellowship dinner was meant to welcome the incoming House members.
“Nanduon po kami…and it was merely getting to know each other kumbaga. So, welcoming the incoming members of the 20th Congress, as well as to inspire them. Hindi lang mga incoming but also…reelected members ng House, to inspire them…to commit themselves to their advocacies,” he said.
“So it was simply a gesture of welcoming them, making them part of the official family of the incoming Congress. Wala pong napag-usapan duon about leadership support or anything about yung positions in the House,” he said.
The Mindanao lawmaker added that Speaker Romualdez assured incoming and reelected House members that he would continue to support programs and advocacies not only for legislative districts but for the nation as well.
Dionisio and Adiong also reiterated that more than 200 members of the incoming House have signed a manifesto declaring their support for Speaker Romualdez to remain as the leader of the larger chamber in the 20th Congress.
“Meron na pong 200-plus na signature na nagsasabing sumusuporta sila sa ating Speaker ngayon because may kasabihan nga, if it’s not broken why fix it. Sustainability at stability na ipinakita sa leadership ni Speaker Martin, doon ‘yung source of support na pinanggagalingan ng bawat indibidwal na congressmen na 200-plus na lumagda para ipakita ang kanilang suporta sa current Speaker na ito na maging speaker in the 20th Congress,” Adiong said.
Earlier, Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez, another reelected House member, said Speaker Romualdez has gained the support of a “super majority.”
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