Romualdez thanks endorsers for Senate bid; will remain independent

Leyte representative Martin Romualdez eyes to bring the “Romualdez brand” of service to a more extensive scale. ARIES JOSEPH HEGINA/INQUIRER.net

Representative Martin Romualdez of Leyte’s First District announced Wednesday he would remain as an independent candidate for senator in next year’s elections.

In a statement, Romualdez thanked the various political parties and candidates who have publicly endorsed his Senate bid and those who have included or considered him as a guest candidate.

Former President and Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada was one of the first to publicly name his list of Senate hopefuls which included Romualdez. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte has also urged his followers to support Romualdez while he continues to mull a possible presidential bid.

The newly-formed tandem of Senator Miriam Santiago and Senator Ferdinand ‘‘Bong Bong’’ Marcos Jr. has also included the Leyte solon in their Senate slate.

Last Monday, Vice President Jejomar Binay and his UNA Party released their list, which also included Romualdez.

Romualdez also announced that just today (Wednesday), the leadership of the Nationalist People’s Coalition sent him another invitation to join its lineup.

The Grace Poe-Francis ”Chiz” Escudero camp has earlier announced that Romualdez would be a guest candidate in their slate. Their official lineup, however, is still to be announced.

In his statement, Romualdez thanked Poe and Escudero for considering him in their lineup, but said he would not be joining them.

He said that while they shared the same vision and stand in many of the important issues plaguing the nation, he would not be joining their senatorial slate.

Romualdez said the statements of support and endorsement from many local officials ‘‘is deeply-humbling.’’

“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 my “malasakit”. 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 said.

‘‘I stand by my earlier statements that I 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 my “malasakit” message. I remain committed to my message.’’