THE Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) has endorsed House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez for the speakership in the upcoming 19th Congress, even as it announced that Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co would be taking over the group’s helm.

The PCFI members made the twin announcements – which would have a significant impact in the 19th Congress – during a gathering on Saturday at Chef Jesse in Rockwell, Makati City.

“We, the Partylist Representatives elected for the 19th Congress, hereby affix our signatures in this joint statement to endorse Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Leyte, 1st District) for Speaker in the 19th Congress. We recognize the vital role played by Rep. Martin Romualdez, in his capacity as House Majority Leader for three years, in making the 18th Congress one of the most productive ever. His work ethic and proven ability as consensus builder enabled the House of Representatives to enact important pieces of legislation that shielded our economy and our people from the devastating effects of a global pandemic,” read a manifestation of support prepared and signed by the party-list congressmen.

“We firmly believe that Rep. Martin Romualdez, once elected Speaker of the 19th Congress, will be able to unite different political parties in the House of Representatives in support of the incoming President’s legislative agenda. We also issue this statement to pledge our commitment in support of the legislative agenda to be presented by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. in the opening of the 19th Congress on the fourth Monday of July this year,” they added.

Deputy Speaker and 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero is the present PCFI president.

According to the PCFI lawmakers, Romualdez, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, would be able to answer the call of the nation for laws and policies that will aid the recovery of the economy, and ultimately, the betterment of the nation.

Described as a consensus-builder and noteworthy for his cool and calm demeanor, Romualdez represented the notion of stability in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-rocked 18th Congress.

He guided the House members with his steady hand even as the speakership underwent tumultuous times with a changing of the guard.

Meanwhile, a separate manifestation of support justified the party-list lawmakers’ pick of Co as PCFI president.

“We, the Partylist Representatives elected for the 19th Congress, hereby affix our signatures in this joint statement to commit ourselves in support of Rep. Elizaldy Co (Ako Bicol) for President of the Partylist Coalition in the House of Representatives.

With Rep. Co leading our Coalition, we are one in the belief that the Partylist Representatives will unite as a solid group and a potent bloc in Congress – a move necessary to push for advocacies that our respective constituents expect from us,” the second manifestation read.

“We also issue this statement to pledge our commitment in support of the legislative agenda to be presented by President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos, Jr. in the opening of the 19th Congress on the fourth Monday of July this year,” it added.

Co, the first nominee of Ako Bicol party-list and a constant topnotcher in the party-list elections, has proven his worth as a lawmaker, leader and competent member of the PCFI in the 18th Congress.

The PCFI is the biggest political bloc in the House of Representatives in the current 18th Congress. By RYAN PONCE PACPACO