Romualdez named caretaker of Cavite’s 4th legislative district

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Official facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines – House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has been assigned as caretaker of Cavite’s 4th legislative district after the death Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. recently.

During the plenary session on Tuesday, Romualdez was designated by the Majority to look over Barzaga’s district.

This brings the number of districts under Romualdez’s supervision, aside from his own Leyte 1st District, to six:

• Cavite’s 7th District which was vacated by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla
• Negros Oriental’s 3rd District after former lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr, was expelled
• Palawan’s 3rd District after the death of Rep. Edward Hagedorn
• Batangas 6th District after the appointment Finance Secretary Ralph Recto
• Palawan 1st District after the death of Rep. Edgardo Salvame
• Cavite 4th District after the death of Rep. Elpidio Barzaga

Barzaga died in the United States last Saturday at the age of 74.  Just a few months before, the lawmaker had a heart procedure.

Last Saturday, Romualdez said that with Barzaga’s death, the House lost a smart number-cruncher, adding that House officials have turned to the Cavite lawmaker for legal advice.

“We are deeply saddened by Cong Pidi’s passing. The House of Representatives has just lost a great legal thinker and a smart number-cruncher,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“I myself consulted him on a number of legal issues. He was always lending a helping hand. We will also remember him as an indefatigable lawmaker who made it a point to attend sessions and participate actively in committee hearings with extensive preparations,” he added.