Speaker Martin Romualdez (Photo from his Facebook page)
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez has promised to “vehemently defend” Congress from the “dissatisfied few” who sow divisiveness by maligning and tarnishing the House of Representative’s image.
This is as the House adopted a measure expressing support for Romualdez while taking exception to statements that undermine the House’s independence, integrity and reputation.
Romualdez and House Resolution No. 1414 did not explicitly state the attacks leveled against the lower chamber or the identities of the “dissatisfied few … with misplaced priorities.”
House Senior Deputy Speaker Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. later admitted during the plenary session that it was referring to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark that the House was “rotten.”
“The one who uttered that word is our chairperson from PDP Laban. Before I answer, I will resign now as a member and officer of PDP Laban. The former President Rodrigo Duterte was the one who said that,” Gonzales said on Monday.
‘Misplaced priorities’
The lower chamber later adopted HR 1414, which supported Romualdez and pledged “allegiance and unity in opposition to any entity aiming to destabilize the core of our democratic institution.”
Several congressmen representing different political parties also took to the floor to express their support for Romualdez.
At the opening of Monday’s plenary session, Romualdez defended the lower chamber and its members against the “dissatisfied few whose only intention is to sow divisiveness.”
“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 told legislators in a speech.
It may be recalled that Romualdez was criticized by Duterte himself as being behind moves against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The older Duterte also called Congress the “most rotten” institution and even threatened ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, who in turn filed a grave threats complaint against him.
The former president’s criticisms stemmed from the House’s decision to reallocate P1.23 billion in confidential funds to government agencies defending the West Philippine Sea.
This unprecedented move caused his daughter Sara to lose P650 million in confidential funds for 2024.