CHIEF PNP CARLOS VISITS ROMUALDEZ — Chief PNP Lieutenant General Dionardo Carlos (2nd right) greets a House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (left) a happy birthday during a courtesy call and short meeting at the House of Representatives. Looking are (from right) Zamboang Sibugay Rep. Wilter Sharky Palma, Samar Rep. Edgar Sarmiento and Solicitor General Jose Calida. Photo by VER NOVENO
Romualdez: No House coup
HOUSE Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin G. Romualdez on Tuesday reiterated his strong commitment to honor the gentlemen’s agreement forged by President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte among top leaders in the leadership of the House of Representatives.
Romualdez, chairman of the House committee on rules, said reports that his team was planning to oust Velasco have no basis and just intended to sow intrigue.
“I have no intention to effect any leadership change, especially the speakership. I am a man of honor, and I fully abide with the gentlemen’s agreement forged in front of President Duterte in 2019,” Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), referring to the term-sharing deal brokered by President Duterte between former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Velasco.
“I remain committed to performing everything that needs to done as the Majority Leader in the plenary in order to pass meaningful laws for the Filipino people until the last day of the 18th Congress,” Romualdez, a lawyer from University of the Philippines (UP) and president of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), said.
Romualdez said the main focus now of Lakas-CMD is to ensure the victory of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as the party’s vice presidential candidate.
“My focus now is on the 2022 elections as we are working to give our standard bearer, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte, a solid base for her vice presidential bid,” Romualdez said.
The Majority Leader said he has no idea why coup rumors have been persistent since the opening of the 18th Congress.
“I don’t know where all these talks are coming from. Such idea has not even crossed my mind. These coup rumors have been going on since 2019 and to this day, there has been no evidence of one being hatched,” Romualdez said.
“I would like to appeal to everyone to stop all speculations on a change of leadership at the House of Representatives at this time,” Romualdez added.
