Duterte’s PDP-Laban endorses Romualdez for 19th Congress Speakership

FILE PHOTO: Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s party PDP-Laban has supported House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez for the Speakership in the 19th Congress.

PDP-Laban president Energy Sec. Alfonso Cusi announced this on Saturday, following the announcements of other major political groups, as well as former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of their support for the House Majority Leader.

“I am pleased to announce that the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban) party is endorsing House Majority Leader and Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez as the Speaker of the House of Representatives in the incoming 19th Congress of the Philippines,” he said in a statement.

Cusi cited Romualdez’s track record in supporting the Duterte administration in the crafting of important laws such as the two Bayanihan laws, the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act, the the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act, and the amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, in choice for him to be Speaker.

“His track record speaks for itself. He is indeed one of the most hard-working Members of Congress,” he said.

“We believe that Romualdez can bring the various political parties and blocs in the House of Representatives together to continue the legacy programs of the Duterte administration as well as shepherd in Congress the vision of President-elect Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. for a more progressive Philippines,” Cusi added.

The PDP-Laban had supported Marcos Jr.’s run for the presidency, as well as his running mate presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio’s.

“Our 62 newly elected PDP Laban Representatives are throwing their full support behind Romualdez because we believe in his capacity to unite and lead Congress for the passage of significant laws and initiatives for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Cusi added.

Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos Jr. and the campaign manager of his running mate Duterte-Carpio, ran unopposed and was reelected as representative of the 1st District of Leyte in the 2022 polls. It will be his fifth term as representative of his district.

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