Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez has maintained his grip on power over the 318-member House of Representatives following a successful reelection as Speaker of the 20th Congress. He was unopposed. 

Romualdez secured an overwhelming 269 votes during the opening of the 20th Congress early Monday, though the figure was relatively lower than the expected 293, as previously claimed by his allies.

A total of 34 solons abstained from voting, including his alleged contenders, Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez, and President Marcos Jr.’s close allies — Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco — whose bid reportedly did not materialize due to alleged lack of political support. 

The Romualdez-headed Lakas-CMD accounts for at least one-third of the entire House, making it the most dominant bloc in the lower chamber. 

Members of the so-called “Davao bloc,” led by Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte — a staunch critic of the administration — also abstained. Others include Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Reps. Chel Diokno, Perci Cendana, and Dadah Ismula.

Romualdez’s reelection no longer came as a surprise, with a manifesto backing his bid circulating as early as May. 

Major parties in the House, such as the National Unity Party (NUP) and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas — Marcos’ political bloc — had been vocal in strongly supporting Romualdez, going as far as kicking out a member who dared to defy the party’s unified stance.

Frasco, who refused to sign the manifesto, citing “shared frustrations” and “deep disappointment” within the House under Romualdez’s leadership, was expelled by the NUP in early June, pointing to his “selfish personal and partisan interests.”

Despite this, Frasco remained headstrong in withholding support for Romnualdez and said he would prefer Benitez or Tiangco to be the speaker. 

‘Controversies’ under Romualdez

Benitez cited “controversies involving questionable budget allocations, politicized relief, and selfish power plays” for refusing to join the bandwagon backing Romualdez. 

He asserted that these issues “contributed to distrust, disunity, and dysfunction,” undermining President Marcos Jr.’s call for unity and stability.

“I believe our chamber needs a leader who will stand firmly behind President Bongbong Marcos — not pull him down — and can help unite the nation behind his vision for the country,” Benitez stressed. “This is not the time for self-interest or political maneuvering.”

Tiangco, on the other hand, pointed to “budget insertions” in the 2025 General Appropriations Act as grounds for abstaining. 

"Because of what happened in the 2025 national budget, I could no longer support the House of Representatives’ leadership. This should never happen again," he contended. 

Romualdez and other House leaders in the previous Congress are facing graft and falsification charges before the Ombudsman for “unlawfully” inserting P241 billion in this year’s budget—an allegation they dismissed as a “retaliation” of allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte. 

Benitez, Tiangco won’t join minority 

Traditionally, lawmakers who voted against a candidate for the speaker will automatically comprise the majority bloc. Benitez and Tiangco, however, refused to be part of the minority, declaring themselves as “independent.”

Romualdez took his oath before Bulacan Rep. Salvador Aquino Pleyto Sr. — doing away with the chamber’s customary practice where the youngest members administer the oath. 

Most of the lawmakers attributed their support for Romualdez to his “proven leadership” and “strong commitment” to passing laws that benefit the people.

Aside from Romualdez, second-termer Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro was also elected as majority leader, spearheading the nearly 300-strong supermajority. 

Meanwhile, elected Deputy Speakers are Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin; Lanao del Sur Rep asser Alonto Adiong; La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega; Zambales Rep. Jefferson Khonghun; Ilocos Sur Rep. Kristine Meehan-Singson; Antipolo City Rep. Ronald Puno; Isabela Rep. Faustino Michael Dy III; Iloilo Rep. Ferjenel Biron, and TUCP Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza.