AN overwhelming show of support from his congressman-colleagues led to Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez’s victory in the speakership race during Monday’s session, thus making him the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He was unopposed in the speakership race.

With a vote of 283, Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), ascended to the top spot in the chamber after serving for three years as its Majority Leader in the previous 18th Congress.

Twenty-two lawmakers did not vote in the speakership race, four lawmakers abstained and one voted against.

Romualdez also took his oath as the 24th Speaker before Tarlac Rep. Jaime D. Cojuangco, youngest member of the 19th Congress at age 25, as his wife, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, and his children, Andrew, Marty, Minxie, and Maddey looked on, during the ceremony at the House of Representatives’ rostrum.

Juliette Romualdez, mother of Speaker Romualdez; Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos, son of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.; Philip Romualdez and his wife, Sandy Prieto also witnessed the event.

The House of Representatives through former House Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza designated Zamboanga City 2nd District Rep. Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe as Acting Floor Leader for Monday’s session that marked the start of the 19th Congress, and of a new challenge for the Visayan House leader.

Later, Dalipe was elected House Majority Leader. Cavite Rep. Lani Revilla nominated him for the post.

It was Marcos who nominated Romualdez as Speaker and seconded by Batangas 6th District Rep. Ralph G. Recto, Davao City Rep. Isidro T. Ungab (Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats), Antipolo City 1st District Rep. Roberto V. Puno (National Unity Party), Las Piñas City Rep. Camille A. Villar (Nacionalista Party), Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan (Nationalist People’s Coalition), Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (TUCP) party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza, and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales (PDP-Laban), Jr.

Marcos was Romualdez’s former understudy, having worked as a staff in the Majority Leader’s office for much of the 18th Congress.

He learned the legislative ropes under Romualdez, who guided the House members through challenging times the past three years.

This made Marcos’ nomination remarks all the more poingnant.

Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a former Speaker, of Pampanga was elected senior Deputy Speaker during Monday’s session.

The House of Representatives also elected Ungab, Puno, Villar, Singson-Meehan, and Mendoza as Deputy Speakers.

Reginald “Reggie” Velasco and retired PMGen. Napoleon C. Taas were elected as House Secretary General and Sergeant-at-Arms, respectively.

Vice President Sara Duterte physically witnessed the election of Romualdez as Speaker.

Romualdez stood as one of Duterte’s campaign managers in the last presidential elections.