FILE PHOTO: House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Photo from the official website of House of Representatives / congress.gov.ph
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has assured his colleagues in the House of Representatives that he will stand up in favor of the public’s interests, and against anyone who threatens the institution just to get what he or she wants.
In a speech during the resumption of the 19th Congress’ 2nd regular session on Monday, Romualdez said that lawmakers must not allow people who would malign the chamber for their whim to dictate the direction of the House.
“But let it be said, never must we countenance or allow others not so likely-minded individuals who choose to malign or put down the image of this institution and dictate the direction we must go. I urge everyone to rally behind our true moral compass – the will of the Filipino people,” Romualdez said.
“Tatayo ako laban sa sinuman na mananakot sa atin para masunod lamang ang gusto nila. Titindig ako — tayong lahat— para sa kapakanan ng bayan,” he added.
According to Romualdez, the House may be composed of representatives with different mindsets and political principles, but it will always be united should it, or one of the members, be under attack.
“As you are well aware, despite all the hard work we have done to accomplish the goals we have set, certain sectors or individuals with misplaced priorities choose to malign and tarnish the positive image of this very institution which we labored hard to achieve,” he said.
“My fellow legislators, it is true that we, the members of this 300-plus strong chamber, compose a cluster of high-minded individuals possessing a diversity of passionate views and different political perspectives. However, we remain steadfast as we set our differences aside and become fiercely united whenever the institution we courageously devote our efforts to, or any individual member of this chamber for that matter, is being threatened by opportunistic motives that aim to distract us from fulfilling our mandate,” he added.
Romualdez did not mention anyone who may be behind the attacks against the House, but it could be recalled that during the session break, former president Rodrigo Duterte launched tirades against the chamber and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro.
In an interview with Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI), Duterte called the House the “most rotten organization,”| saying that the chamber distributes pork barrels to different members. House leaders and officials, however denied this, saying that the Supreme Court has already outlawed the pork barrel system.
READ: House reps find Duterte’s tirades offensive, a serious attack – secretary general
Duterte’s statements came after the House ultimately decided to remove the confidential fund (CF) request for 2024 of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) — two agencies headed by the former president’s daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte.
OVP asked for a P500 million CF for 2024, while DepEd made a P150 million request. OVP’s CF bid was removed, while DepEd’s P150 million request was channeled to the assistance of teachers and students.
The older Duterte was also accused of threatening Castro when he said that he advised Vice President Duterte to be just frank with how the CF will be used — to go after communists like the lawmaker.
READ: Ex-President Duterte made a direct threat to Rep. Castro’s life – group
Romualdez said that the House was merely scrutinizing the proposed budget — noting that this is nothing personal.
“That being said, the House of Representatives, during the budget deliberations a few months ago, did not miss a beat in dissecting, scrutinizing, and deliberating every figure and item in the 2024 budget proposal. And we have an alert minority to thank for doing their share of spadework in digging into the finer details of the budget,” he said.
“The House was never lenient, nor did it favor anyone. The entire process was dedicated to uplifting the lives of our fellow citizens and staying true to the fundamental principles of the system of checks and balances in the government. Wala pong personalan dito. Trabaho lang,” he added.