FERDINAND Martin Romualdez, candidate for Leyte First District representative, confirmed Monday, March 4, that he is interested in the speakership race of the 18th Congress after Hugpong ng Pagbabago chairperson and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio mentioned him as one of the possible bets for the position.

"Many congressmen aspire for that position. I am humbled and honored that she (Mayor Sara) mentioned my name as one of the contenders," said Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

"As a Malacañang ally, it is my duty to push the legislative agenda of the President. Right now, I am working very hard to ensure my victory in the coming election," Romualdez said in a statement.

Duterte-Carpio earlier said that the former three-term Leyte congressman might run for House speakership over the looming retirement of ex-President now House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in July.

Romualdez, a nephew of the former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, is a known ally of Arroyo.

Romualdez is running unopposed in his district.

His wife, incumbent Leyte First District Representative Yedda Marie Romauldez, is running as the first nominee of Tingog party-list in the May elections.

Aside from Romualdez, the possible contenders for House speakership include Majority Leader and Capiz Representative Fredenil Castro, Marinduque Representative Lord Allan Velasco, and former Foreign Affairs secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. (SunStar Philippines)