House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (File photo / Official Facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Despite political tensions between the Marcos administration and the Dutertes, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and 202 other members of the House of Representatives received a warm reception during the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) here on Thursday.
During the four BPSF programs here in Davao City, Romualdez and his fellow lawmakers were greeted by a loud crowd at the University of Southeastern Philippines.
In response, Romualdez said that he loves Davao City and the entire Mindanao — saying that the region is always in their minds despite lawmakers being busy with the budget season, and other hearings.
“Sa totoo lang po, itong sinasabing Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, ito talagang matagal nang inisip ng ating mahal na Presidente na maibigay ng tulong at ginhawa at maayos ng buhay sa lahat ng Pilipino. At sa totoo lang po, nagkagalak po ako kaya bilang leader ng House of Representatives, kasama ko lahat po ang ating mga kongresista dito,” Romualdez said.
(To be honest, this Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair has been a long-time concept of our beloved President, to extend help and uplift the lives of Filipinos. And to be honest, I am happy as a leader of the House of Representatives, that almost all lawmakers are with me.)
“Mas que, sobra silang busy sa distrito nila, sa mga adbokasiya nila. Ayan, kahapon pa, lumipad. Kaninang umaga, walang tulog, dumating na rito. Dahil po, gusto natin ipakita sa Davao City na mahal na mahal po namin kayong lahat. We love you Davao! We love you Mindanao! Kayo po talaga, ay talagang mapakalaking bahagi sa ating pag-iisip para magbibigay sa inyo ng mas magandang buhay,” he added.
(Even if they are so busy with their districts, their advocacies, they flew in yesterday, early morning, arrived here without sleep. Because we want to show to Davao City that we love you all. We love you Davao! We love you Mindanao! You play a big part in our minds regarding our aspirations to give the people a good life.)
According to Romualdez, he does not mind enduring some sleepless nights as long as the people of Davao are happy.
“Kaya ako po, si Martin Romualdez, leader po ng House of Representatives, handang-handa kami maglingkod, magserbisyo, at makinig sa inyong hinaing. At siyempre, mahal na mahal natin po kayong lahat sa Davao City,” he added.
(That’s why I, Martin Romualdez, as leader of the House of Representatives, is ready to serve and listen to your grievances. And of course, we love everyone from Davao City.)
This is the first time that Romualdez attended an event in Davao City, ever since the fallout of the Uniteam — the campaign tandem of Romualdez’ cousin, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., and her running mate Vice President Sara Duterte.
Davao is the hometown of the Dutertes, who have ruled city for decades.
The Vice President and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, used to be city mayors; currently, Vice President Sara’s brother Sebastian Duterte is the local chief executive.
Romualdez was a campaign manager for Vice President Sara, who in the past credited the Speaker for largely contributing to her 2022 victory.
Romualdez and the vice president, however, eventually had disagreements, which many observers believe started when Pampanga 2nd District Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was stripped of her senior deputy speaker role.
Duterte, who considers Arroyo as her political mentor, resigned from Romualdez’ Lakas-CMD after the incident.
At the Davao BPSF, at least P1.2 billion worth of government assistance and services were distributed to over 250,000 residents of the Davao region .
The BPSF in Davao is the 23rd overall, and the third in the Davao region, with the first one being in Monkayo, Davao de Oro last September 2023.
Last June 7, a BPSF was held in Tagum, Davao del Norte, where P913 million worth of aid and services were delivered to 250,000 beneficiaries.