Eastern Samar’s new lawmaker undecided on House Speaker choice

TACLOBAN CITY — Eastern Samar’s newly elected congresswoman Maria Fe Abunda has yet to decide who to choose as the next Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Among the strong contenders for the speakership is Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, whose party list Tingog Sinirangan has Abunda’s brother, television host Boy Abunda, as one of its supporters.

The congresswoman, however, supported An Waray during the recently concluded May 13 elections.

Both party lists have secured seats at the House of Representatives.

“To be honest, I have yet to decide who among them I will choose as Speaker. But I believe all of them are deserving to become the next leader of the House of Representatives,” Abunda said in a phone interview.

Abunda, outgoing mayor of Borongan City, said among the considerations for her in choosing the next House Speaker is the good it brings to her constituents.

“Eastern Samar is the poorest province in the region which still needs assistance (from our government). Our funds are not enough to help our people. That is why, those who will ask for my support among the contenders should also consider my request for them to provide us assistance,” Abunda said.

“I am asking this not for my own benefit but for my people in the district,” she added.

Abunda also said she would seek advice from her brother on the issue.

“But the last say will still be me,” she added.

Eastern Samar, composed of its provincial capital of Borongan City and 22 towns, has a poverty incidence of 43 percent as of the first quarter of 2018.

Aside from Romualdez, the other congressmen vying for Speakership are Representatives Pantaleon Alvarez, Alan Peter Cayetano, Lord Allan Velasco, and Loren Legarda, among others. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)