MAJORITY Leader Martin Romualdez said he was overwhelmed by the trust and confidence of President Rodrigo Duterte in him.

Responding to an earlier statement of Duterte, Romualdez said he was surprised by the vice president endorsement saying he is not closing the doors in the 2022 national elections.

Earlier, President Duterte said he would support Romualdez should he decide to run for the second highest position in the government.

“I thank President Rodrigo Duterte for his trust and confidence in me to hold the second-highest position in 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, a representative of Leyte, said.

“Currently, I am keeping my options open with regard to the 2022 elections,” he added.

According to the House leader, the President’s warm support and words of encouragement will weigh heavily on whatever his decision will be in October.

“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).

Meanwhile, Romualdez said 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,” Romualdez said.

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

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 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.

“Nu’ng 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 to that commitment,” Duterte also said.