House leaders on Friday expressed confidence that Speaker Martin Romualdez will retain the lower chamber's top post in the upcoming Congress, amid speculations of a leadership shakeup and reports that three lawmakers are eyeing the position.

Deputy Speaker David "Jayjay" Suarez said Lakas-CMD, the current ruling party in the House headed by Romualdez himself, remains one of the most dominant blocs in the 20th Congress, with 105 lawmakers — or one-third of the 316-seat House.

This strengthens Romualdez’s chances of keeping his position as Speaker, given his party’s sizable representation, which could deliver crucial votes in the event of a leadership contest when Congress resumes in July.

"For us in Lakas, we're the dominant majority party. If I'm not mistaken, we have around 105 elected congressmen, and we are 100 percent behind the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, of course under the banner of continuity," said Suarez, who also serves as the party’s treasurer.

The Quezon lawmaker cited the swift passage of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s legislative agenda under Romualdez’s leadership as a reason to retain him. He emphasized that continuity is essential in sustaining legislative momentum and addressing the country’s pressing issues.

"We believe that over the past three years, we have seen the performance of the House. We have seen how we have delivered on our President's legislative agenda, and we have seen how the leadership has managed the issues facing our country. Most of us have full confidence that continuity is important for Congress. We're fully supportive behind the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez," Suarez added.

Another Quezon lawmaker, Mark Enverga, chairperson of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, echoed Suarez’s sentiment, saying he believes Romualdez will continue to lead the House in the next Congress.

"We are still committed... We signed a manifesto supporting President BBM with his legislative agenda. So we believe that Speaker Martin will continue his term as Speaker... I think it will continue," said Enverga, a member of the Nationalist People's Coalition.

The lawmakers had attended a meeting in Makati City with other representatives, which some speculated to be a “loyalty check” to test support for the current leadership. Suarez, however, denied this, stating the gathering was "purely admin matters," mainly related to preparations for the 20th Congress, including committee assignments.

Both Suarez and Enverga denied that any discussions regarding a leadership change had taken place, and said they were unaware of any formal challengers to Romualdez’s speakership.

A so-called "leaked" memo circulated by pro-Duterte groups claimed that President Marcos was considering appointing Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco as the next Speaker to replace his cousin Romualdez. However, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin denounced the document as fake, calling it a “blatant attempt to spread disinformation and sow division” within the administration.

Tiangco, who served as campaign manager for the administration’s senatorial slate Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, criticized the handling of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment and alleged that it alienated Mindanao voters.

He also suggested that some lawmakers were pressured into signing the impeachment complaint against Duterte, hinting that they feared budgetary retaliation if they refused — a claim Suarez firmly denied.

"There's no truth to that allegation; there's no truth to that matter. No one was forced, no one was asked to sign. And everybody signed the impeachment based on their own volition," Suarez said.

Aside from Tiangco, reports suggest that two other lawmakers — including one reportedly related to President Marcos —are allegedly eyeing the speakership, though no official challengers have emerged.