Going ‘indie,’ Romualdez thanks parties for support

Leyte representative Martin Romualdez ARIES JOSEPH HEGINA/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday thanked political stalwarts and parties for their endorsement of his bid for a seat in the Senate, particularly their statements of support and show of confidence in him.

Among those who have endorsed Romualdez’ Senate bid were former President and Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte, Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago,  Sen. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.,  and Vice President Jejomar Binay.

“Their show of faith and confidence in me only serves to strengthen my resolve to continue to serve our country to the best of my abilities and malasakit (concern),” he said.  “And I am thankful and appreciative of everyone who has recognized the relevancy of my message to bring back “malasakit” in our leadership, and in my case—as a senator of the Republic of the Philippines.” he added.

Romualdez is running as an independent. But the tandem of Santiago and Marcos have included the Leyte solon on their list of senatorial candidates. Romualdez is a first cousin of Marcos. Binay also adopted Romualdez in the senatorial slate of the United Nationalist Alliance.

Romualdez also announced that while they share the same vision and stand on the same side in many of the important issues plaguing the nation today, he would not be joining the Senate lineup of Sen. Grace Poe and Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero that is expected to be announced today. But Romualdez expressed his appreciation and thanks for having been considered.

Romualdez, a leader of the independent minority bloc in the House of Representatives, said his Senate bid had received “wide interparty support” from Binay and Santiago, as well as the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), which is widely expected to back Poe.

He also disclosed that the leadership of NPC sent him another invitation yesterday to join their Senate lineup for which he said he is privileged to be a part of.

Romualdez added that these public statements of support and endorsements from many other local public officials are deeply-humbling.

In a statement, Romualdez said he would be supportive of any presidential and vice presidential, individually or as tandem, and any other candidate for other elective positions whose vision is consistent with his malasakit message.

“I believe in my heart that now is the time to bring back genuine concern for the people. It is my objective to bring back empathy in governance. By replacing indifference with compassion and responsiveness, we can, as one people, fight poverty and bring prosperity to our people,” he said.