ISABELA Representative Faustino “Bojie” Dy III was formally elected on Wednesday as the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, pledging reform, transparency, and a people-first approach to governance.
Addressing members of the chamber, Dy expressed both gratitude and humility as he thanked them for their support.
“Ako po’y lubos na nagpapasalamat sa mga kasama kong mambabatas sa paghalal ninyo sa akin bilang Speaker. Hindi ko po ito inasahan. Matapos ang ilang dekadang paninilbihan bilang lingkod-bayan mula Kabataang Barangay hanggang gobernador ng Isabela, inakala ko na ang susunod na yugto ng aking buhay ay para sa aking pamilya. Ngunit ibang daan ang inilatag ng ating Panginoon. Dinala Niya akong muli dito—sa Kongreso—upang mas higit pang palawakin ang paglilingkod,” Dy said.
The newly elected Speaker acknowledged public frustration over corruption and inefficiency, vowing to put national interest above political self-interest.
“Malinaw sa akin na higit na matimbang ang aking pananagutang itaguyod ang ating Saligang Batas at unahin ang kapakanan ng nakararami. Hindi ko hahayaan ang sinuman na gamitin ang Kongreso para sa personal na interes. Panahon nang ituon natin ang ating paningin sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan. Sila ang rason kung bakit tayo naririto. Sila ang unahin natin bago ang pansariling kapakanan,” he stressed.
Dy called on his colleagues to unite behind a shared mission, stressing that he would need their full support to deliver meaningful reforms and restore credibility to the House.
“Magtatagumpay lamang tayo kung tayo’y magkakaisa upang makamit ang hangaring ito. Hindi ko po magagawa ito nang mag-isa. Kailangan ko po kayo. Kailangan po natin ang bawat isa,” he said.
He also thanked outgoing Speaker Martin Romualdez for ensuring a smooth transition.
“Taos-puso ko pong ipinapaabot ang aking pasasalamat sa ating dating Speaker sa kanyang bukas-palad na pakikipagtulungan para maisakatuparan ang isang maayos na transisyon,” Dy noted.
Looking ahead, the new House leader underscored urgency and collective resolve in addressing the nation’s challenges.
“Ngayon na ang oras. Hindi bukas. Sama-sama tayong bumangon, kumilos, at maglingkod… Sa bagong Kongreso, ipaparamdam natin ang tunay na malasakit at paglilingkod na nakatuon sa pag-angat ng buhay ng sambayanang Pilipino. Walang ibang agenda. Walang ibang interes. Kapakanan ng Pilipino ang simula, gitna, at dulo—wala nang iba,” he declared.
With more than four decades in public service, Dy brings extensive experience to the speakership. He began his career as KB Federation Chairman and ABC President, later serving as Vice Mayor and then Mayor of Cauayan City, where he earned recognition for peace and order, cleanliness, and effective governance.
Elected as Representative of Isabela’s 3rd District in 2001, Dy served three terms before being elected Governor in 2010. As governor, he steered Isabela to national prominence in agriculture, cooperative development, and disaster resilience, consistently earning the DILG’s Seal of Good Local Governance and other national awards.
After completing three gubernatorial terms, he served as Vice Governor of Isabela from 2019 to 2025, garnering accolades including Vice Governor of the Year, before returning to Congress in 2025 as Representative of Isabela’s 6th District.
Dy, an economics graduate of the University of Santo Tomas, is married to Mary Ann Arcega. They have four children: Francis Faustino, Faustino IV, Faustino V, and Justin Faustino.
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