HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin G. Romualdez has bared the forthcoming decision of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) to renew its alliance with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) in a bid to strengthen the partnership of both political parties in the May 2022 presidential elections.

Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president, recalled that HNP and Lakas-CMD already had an alliance in the 2019 senatorial elections, prompting other political parties to follow a similar partnership.

“It started even before the 2019 elections and right now as the Majority Leader, I work closely with the HNP members in the House. We have a close relationship and we are looking forward to strengthening it further as we look towards the 2022 elections,” Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules, told reporters in a press conference late Thursday afternoon when asked about his visit to Davao City recently to personally greet Duterte on his birthday.

“We will strengthen our alliance and we will formalize that very soon, at a proper time and what is most mutually convenient to both parties,” Romualdez said.

This developed after President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte endorsed Romualdez as his vice presidential candidate. “We have an alliance, we are looking forward to revitalizing it and renewing it for the 2022 elections.”

Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP) and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), said he is not closing his doors on the 2022 national elections. He expressed gratitude to President Duterte for the surprise endorsement of him as vice presidential candidate in the 2022 elections.

“I thank President Rodrigo Duterte for his trust and confidence in me to hold the second-highest position of the land. I am deeply honored that he considers me, a congressman from the Eastern Visayas, worthy to serve as the country’s next Vice President. For this, I will be eternally grateful to the President,” Romualdez said.

“Currently, I am keeping my options open with regard to the 2022 elections,” he added. “For sure, the President’s warm support and words of encouragement will weigh heavily on whatever decision I have to make in October 2021.”

“Let me assure the President that I will seek his guidance in the pursuit of this decision,” added Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD).

The President earlier said he would give way and support Romualdez should the lawmaker decide to run for the vice presidency.

As House Majority Leader, Romualdez assured that he will remain “focused on steering the approval of vital legislative measures that the President wishes to be passed before his term ends next year.”

“Marami pa po kaming kailangang gawin sa House of Representatives. Marami pa kaming batas na dapat ipasa para mapabuti ang kalagayan ng mga kababayan nating Pilipino sa panahon ng pandemya,” said Romualdez.

“Maraming salamat po, Pangulong Duterte, sa tiwala. Asahan ninyo po, hindi ko kayo bibiguin sa ating pagkakaisa sa paglilingkod sa ating mga mamamayan,” Romualdez added.

Romualdez issued the statement when asked by reporters for his comment on President Duterte’s endorsement.

“Pag tumakbo si Romualdez, I will support him. ‘Yan ang pinangako ko. Walang problema. I will honor my word,” Duterte said during a ceremonial re-enactment of the signing of several bills at Malacañang Palace.

The President said he promised Romualdez his support as early as two years ago at the height of the speakership tussle at the House of Representatives.

“Nung they were jockeying the positions for the so many contenders, si [Rep.] Lord [Allan Velasco] pati si [Rep.] Alan Peter Cayetano, sinabi ko hatiin na lang ninyo. But the problem was, there was a serious contender also for speakership, si Congressman Romualdez,” the Chief Executive said.

“Kaya ang deal ko sa kanya ganito: ‘Wag ka na lang maghabol diyan and next election, which is just around the corner, if you run for vice president, I will support you and I will hold on that commitment,” he added.

Stressing that he is serious in endorsing Romualdez as vice presidential candidate, the Chief Executive maintained: “Pag tumakbo si Romualdez, I will support him. Yan ang pinangako ko. Walang problema. I will honor my word.”