Martin2 ROMUALDEZ

BAND OF SPEAKER’S SOLID SUPPORTERS

February 15, 2024 Jester P. Manalastas 224 views

THE 30 Metro Manila lawmakers, representing 14 highly-urbanized cities and districts, have banded together to defend Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez from baseless accusations of some senators on efforts to amend some restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution to attract foreign investors.

In a three-page “Statement of Solidarity,” members of the House of Representatives declared that they are “standing firm with Speaker Romualdez in upholding the rights enshrined in our Constitution,” as democracy’s cornerstone is people’s “immutable right to have their voices heard.”

“Let it be said, here and now, that we the undersigned Representatives from the National Capital Region denounce efforts to foment disunity in our nation! We call on all to respect each other’s positions and the voices of our citizens and their inalienable right to be heard,” they stated.

“Hearing the clamor of our constituents, we express our undaunted support for Speaker Romualdez who champions the efforts of the public for a lively discourse on the issues besetting the future of our Republic,” they added, reassuring the public they will always “uphold freedom of expression.”

The administration legislators lauded the House leader for being sympathetic by lending an ear to the soon-to-be-displaced jeepney drivers and operators, making sure the discounts for the elderly, solo parents and persons with disabilities (PWDs) are strictly implemented to the latter.

The Metro Manila congressmen also mentioned the Speaker’s “continuous efforts in support of our districts without political favor,” where Speaker Romualdez has been “a stalwart of promoting equality, the voice of the masses, and championing their causes.”

Among the signatories were Caloocan Reps. Oscar Malapitan, Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy and Dean Asistio; Makati City Reps. Romulo “Kid” Pena Jr. and Luis Campos Jr.; Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco; Mandaluyong Rep. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II; Pasay Rep. Antonino Calixto; Manila Reps. Ernesto Dionisio Jr., Rolando Valeriano, Joel Chua, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Irwin Tieng and Bienvenido Abante; Quezon City Reps. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Franz Pumaren, Marvin Rillo, Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, and Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar; Taguig City-Pateros Reps. Ricardo Cruz Jr. and Amparo Maria Zamora; San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora and Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo; Marikina City Reps. Marjorie Anne Teodoro, and Stella Luz Quimbo; Paranaque reps. Edwin Olivarez and Gus Tambunting and Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi.