At least four members of the opposition Liberal Party (LP) in the House of Representatives signed a manifesto supporting Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday, pushing the number of lawmakers who want him to retain the chamber’s top post to 285.

This figure, if translated into votes, would keep Romualdez still at the helm in the upcoming 20th Congress, despite ongoing talks of a possible shakeup.

"As of today, 285 House members have expressed support for Speaker Romualdez, with 278 lawmakers having already signed formal declarations — including four out of six members of the LP who are now part of the larger movement for legislative continuity and national stability," Deputy Speaker David "Jayjay" Suarez said.

Rumors of a power shift have been making rounds recently, with four lawmakers reportedly vying to replace Romualdez as the House chief.

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, the campaign manager of the administration’s slate Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas, divulged that some lawmakers have already approached him to express support for his possible bid.

Tiangco, who blamed the House-led impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte on the lackluster showing of the administration’s senatorial bets in the recently concluded polls, said he is open to such a challenge if President Marcos believes it's best.

Earlier, the VP also disclosed that she has been trying to convince her brother, Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte, to either run for Speaker or head the minority bloc.

Allies of Romualdez, however, contended that the race for the Speakership is "effectively over" as Romualdez has already secured the required numbers to retain control of the lower chamber in the next Congress.

Moreover, they argued that continuity is critical at this point as the administration enters its midterm. Lawmakers claimed that keeping Romualdez as the Speaker ensures the timely passage of Marcos’ priority bills, especially the national budget.

"Leadership in the House is about bringing people together to pass meaningful laws. Speaker Romualdez has done that, time and again," Suarez averred. "The unity we now see among House members reflects a collective commitment to stability, progress, and responsible governance under his stewardship."

According to House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Adiong, the House delivered "100 percent" of the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council’s priority legislation under Romualdez.

Further, he touted Romualdez as the first Speaker to take proactive measures by establishing an ad hoc committee specifically tasked to address the reconstruction, rehabilitation, and recovery of Marawi City, which Adiong heads.

"There’s no reason for me, minus my affiliation to Lakas, as a member of the House of Representatives, to look around in shock for a possible replacement of the Speaker. That’s why I would maintain my support [for] the current leadership of the House."

Suarez and Adiong are both stalwarts of the Romualdez-led Lakas-CMD — the most dominant bloc in the House at present — commanding a supermajority comprising other prominent blocs.