Tingog Rep. Yedda Romualdez has categorically dispelled talks that she is eyeing a gubernatorial seat in Cebu in the 2028 national elections.

The lawmaker issued the statement amid the alleged rift between her husband, Speaker Martin Romualdez, and his deputy, Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco.

This development followed Frasco’s reported refusal to sign a manifesto supporting Romualdez’s continuing leadership of the House chief in the 20th Congress.

Frasco’s refusal move led to his expulsion from the National Unity Party (NUP).

Yedda, who did not seek reelection, directly tagged Frasco as someone who is fully aware that she is ineligible to hold any local post in the province — much less run for governor — because she is not a registered voter in Cebu.

She also dismissed claims that she transferred her residency for political purposes.

“These are facts that can easily be verified. It is very easy to check the Comelec records in Liloan. I am not a registered voter there. My mother is registered in Cebu City — but I am not. Duke knows fully well whether or not I am his constituent,” the lawmaker said in a statement late Saturday.

Yedda asserted that her commitment remains with Tingog and urged those behind the rumors to “stop using my name for your selfish political interests.”

“If you ever see my name on the ballot in Cebu, I will be the first to tell you: Don’t vote for me,” she said. “My focus is clear: serving the Filipino people, not personal ambition.”

Cebu, one of the most influential provinces in the country with a voting population of 3.4 million, has long been controlled by the prominent Garcia clan.

The province’s outgoing governor, Gwendolyn Garcia, is the mother of Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Duke’s wife.

However, Garcia suffered a surprising defeat to first-time contender Pamela Silagan “Pam” Baricuatro, who ran under the Duterte-led PDP Laban.

Speculation has circulated that Garcia’s endorsement by President Marcos Jr. and Duke’s signing of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte were instrumental in her failed reelection bid.

The Garcias and Duke were once allies of the Dutertes before a falling-out with the Marcoses. Christina served as the Vice President’s spokesperson before being appointed to lead the Department of Tourism.

Duke was among the 215 lawmakers who endorsed the impeachment complaint filed by the House of Representatives against Vice President Duterte on 5 February. Previous reports suggested that his decision to sign the petition was reluctant, citing concerns over a “zero budget” for his district.

Talks of a leadership split were further fueled when Duke reportedly withheld support for Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin, to continue as speaker in the next Congress.

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte, president of the NUP — one of the prominent blocs in the House supermajority — said Duke’s unilateral decision ran counter to the party’s official position, making “his continued membership untenable.”