Speaker on ties with Sara after forgoing CF pleas: ‘It’s still a UniTeam’

House Speaker Majority Martin Romualdez and Vice President Sara Duterte (INQUIRER file photo dated June 17, 2021)

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez has lauded Vice President Sara Duterte’s pronouncement that she will give up the confidential funds (CF) requested by her offices for 2024.

In an interview with reporters in House of Representatives on Monday, the Speaker said he is looking forward to better relations between the chamber and the Office of the Vice President.

“I believe that’s the right decision. We hail VP Sara’s decision,” Romualdez said.

When asked if the move of the Vice President would improve the ties between lawmakers and Duterte, Romualdez responded in the affirmative.

“Always, always. I’m very, very hopeful. We always work together. It’s still a UniTeam,” he said.

“The President always wants us to work together, not just in Congress with the Executive, but as a country, so we will always strive for that,” he added.

UniTeam refers to the political alliance that pushed the candidacies of then-presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and then vice presidential candidate Duterte in the May 2022 national elections.