30 lawmakers express solidarity for Romualdez amid issue on PI

MANILA, Philippines — Several lawmakers and local leaders on Thursday affirmed their solidarity behind Speaker Martin Romualdez amid “efforts to foment disunity” fueled by allegations regarding the people’s initiative (PI) to amend the 1987 Constitution.

READ: Romualdez just ‘facilitator’ of people’s initiative, not its ‘orchestrator’

In a three-page “Statement of Solidarity,” 30 Metro Manila representatives representing 14 cities and districts declared that they are “standing firm with Speaker Romualdez in upholding the rights enshrined in our Constitution,” as democracy’s cornerstone is people’s “immutable right to have their voices heard.”

“Let it be said, here and now, that we the undersigned Representatives from the National Capital Region denounce efforts to foment disunity in our nation! We call on all to respect each other’s positions and the voices of our citizens and their inalienable right to be heard,” the group said.

“Hearing the clamor of our constituents, we express our undaunted support for Speaker Romualdez who champions the efforts of the public for a lively discourse on the issues besetting the future of our Republic,” they added.

The signing lawmakers recognized Romualdez for his “continuous efforts in support of our districts without political favor,” where Speaker Romualdez has been “a stalwart of promoting equality, the voice of the masses, and championing their causes.”

“We sign this unequivocally in support of the citizens we represent, in support of Speaker Romualdez who has been a Speaker for all and a Speaker of the Nation!” the veteran lawmakers declared further.

Among the signatories were Caloocan first, second, and third district Reps. Oscar Malapitan, Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, and Dean Asistio of Caloocan;  Makati first and second district Reps. Romulo “Kid” Pena Jr. and Luis Campos Jr.; Mandaluyong and Pasay Reps. Toby Tiangco of Navotas and Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales II; and Manila Reps. Ernesto Dionisio Jr., Rolando Valeriano, Joel Chua, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Irwin Tieng, and Bienvenido Abante.

Also included in the signatories were Quezon City’s six districts Reps. Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde, Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Franz Pumaren, Marvin Rillo, Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas, and Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar; Taguig and Pateros Reps. Ricardo Cruz Jr. and Amparo Maria Zamora; and San Juan and Pasig Reps. Ysabel Maria Zamora and Roman Romulo.

Furthermore, Marikina first and second district Reps. Marjorie Anne Teodoro and Stella Luz Quimbo, as well as Parañaque and Muntilupa Reps. Edwin Olivarez and Gus Tambunting also signed the statement.

Surigao del Norte LGUs express support for Romualdez 

Meanwhile, 25 more local government executives from Surigao del Norte also signed a manifesto in support of Romualdez.

“We, the Local Chief Executives and leaders of Surigao del Norte express our wholehearted and unwavering support for the leadership of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez amidst the issues being raised against him in the context of the people’s initiative to amend the 1987 Constitution,” the leaders said in the manifesto.

“Speaker Martin’s vision of a prosperous Philippines by shepherding measures that, in his own words, are ‘calculated to alleviate poverty, trigger economic progress and harness competencies in government for the delivery of the highest degree of service,’ has greatly benefitted Surigaonons,” they added.

The officials also recognized Romualdez’s contributions in providing support for Surigao, particularly Siargao.

They then expressed hope for an end to the strife caused by the move to amend the 1987 Constitution through the PI, further calling for unity in accomplishing tasks for nation-building.

A total of seven Board Members, 10 mayors, and six councilors signed the manifesto, including Rep. Bingo Matugas and seven Board Members of Surigao del Norte.

Meanwhile, 10 mayors and six councilors of Surigao City also signed the manifesto.

READ:  Zubiri, Romualdez agree to work professionally

All this developed amid a rift between the Senate and the House fueled by a Charter change proposal through a PI, which the upper chamber perceived as a move to diminish its power as the 24 senators could easily be outvoted by the more than 300 House members.

Some Senators suspected the House to be behind it, directly citing the office of Romualdez.

But the House, led by Romualdez, repeatedly denied the accusation.

Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri previously said that he and Romualdez have already agreed to “work professionally” during the 100th birthday celebration of chief presidential legal adviser Juan Ponce Enrile.