Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez maintained his leadership of the 318-member House of Representatives, securing an unopposed reelection as Speaker of the 20th Congress on Monday.
He garnered 269 votes during the opening session, a figure lower than the 293 votes his allies had previously claimed he would receive.
A total of 34 lawmakers abstained from voting. Among them were alleged contenders such as Bacolod Representative Albee Benitez, and close allies of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., including Cebu Representative Duke Frasco and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco.
Their rumored bids for the speakership reportedly did not materialize due to a lack of political support.
The Romualdez-led Lakas-CMD party commands at least one-third of the House, making it the most dominant bloc in the lower chamber. Members of the “Davao bloc,” led by Davao Representative Paolo Duterte, a vocal critic of the administration, also abstained from the vote.
Other abstainers included Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima and Akbayan Representatives Chel Diokno, Perci Cendana and Dadah Ismula.
Romualdez’s reelection was widely anticipated, with a manifesto supporting his bid circulating as early as May. Major House parties, including the National Unity Party (NUP) and the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Marcos’ political bloc, had openly supported Romualdez.
The NUP even expelled a member who defied the party’s unified stance.
Frasco, who cited “shared frustrations” and “deep disappointment” with Romualdez’s previous leadership for refusing to sign the manifesto, was expelled by the NUP in early June, with the party citing “selfish personal and partisan interests.” Despite this, Frasco remained steadfast in withholding support for Romualdez, stating a preference for Benitez or Tiangco as speaker.
Romualdez and other House leaders from the previous Congress are currently facing graft and falsification charges before the Ombudsman for allegedly “unlawfully” inserting P241 billion into this year’s budget. They have dismissed these allegations as “retaliation” from allies of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Traditionally, lawmakers who vote against the chosen Speaker automatically form the minority bloc. However, Benitez and Tiangco have declined to join the minority, declaring themselves “independent.”
Romualdez took his oath before Bulacan Representative Salvador Aquino Pleyto Sr., deviating from the chamber’s customary practice of having the youngest member administer the oath. Most lawmakers attributed their support for Romualdez to his “proven leadership” and “strong commitment” to passing beneficial laws.