Villar’s Nacionalista Party backs Romualdez as next House Speaker

FILE PHOTO: House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. INQUIRER

MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez has secured the backing of the Villar-led Nacionalista Party (NP), another major political party.

This was revealed by Deputy Speaker and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar in a statement on Saturday.

“The Nacionalista Party is throwing its full support to Leyte 1st District Representative and House Majority leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to become the next Speaker of the House of Representatives,” she said.

Villar said it was Romualdez’s “outstanding performance” as Majority Leader make him “well suited for the Speakership.”

“The Nacionalista Party believes that Speaker Romualdez will be a vital cog as the incoming Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. administration fulfill its vision of unity and prosperity for the country,” she added.

The NP supported Marcos Jr.’s run for the presidency as well as his running mate, presumptive vice president Sara Duterte-Carpio.

Romualdez, a cousin of Marcos Jr. and the campaign manager of his running mate Duterte-Carpio, ran unopposed and was reelected as representative of the 1st District of Leyte in the 2022 polls. It will be his fifth term as representative of his district.

The National Unity Party earlier endorsed Romualdez to be the next Speaker.

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has likewise endorsed Romualdez for the Speakership.

JPV