Talk of a coup? Romualdez allies say ‘not happening’

Despite swirling rumors of a looming leadership change in the House of Representatives, lawmakers close to Speaker Martin Romualdez insist it’s all noise — there’s no shakeup in sight.

According to Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, one of the prosecutors in Vice President Sara Duterte’s upcoming impeachment trial, the speakership remains “status quo,” with Romualdez still enjoying the full backing of dominant political parties in the chamber.

“As of now, I don’t see any movement from those rumored to be eyeing the speakership. The leaders of the major parties have come together, and I believe the Speaker still has their trust,” Defensor said in Filipino during a weekend interview.

Deputy Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez echoed the sentiment, claiming Romualdez had already locked in the support of 240 lawmakers—more than two-thirds of the 315 members expected to form the next Congress.

“That’s already a supermajority. The numbers are solid,” said Suarez, who also serves as treasurer of Lakas-CMD, the House’s biggest bloc.

According to Suarez, 240 lawmakers have already signed a manifesto backing Romualdez—and the number continues to grow. He credited Romualdez’s “calm but decisive” leadership and focus on performance over partisanship as key reasons for the continued unity behind him.

“Any challenge to his leadership is just unrealistic at this point,” Suarez added, stressing that continuity is critical, especially as the Marcos administration hits its midterm and faces the uphill task of passing key legislation, including the national budget.