DEPUTY Speaker and Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco has dismissed rumors about a potential Speakership bid in the 20th Congress.
Amid growing political chatter and a possible House leadership shake-up, Frasco firmly denied any intent to vie for the Speakership in a statement on Monday, June 23, 2025.
“I have not made any decision—much less offered myself—for the position of Speaker of the House in the 20th Congress,” Frasco said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s policy agenda, stressing the importance of promoting national unity and driving development efforts.
“My commitment to the President’s vision remains firm. I believe the House of Representatives must be a united and proactive partner in delivering meaningful, lasting change for the Filipino people,” he said.
While distancing himself from the Speakership race, Frasco said if a vote were held, he would support either Navotas Rep. Tobias “Toby” Renald Tiangco, campaign manager of the administration’s senatorial ticket Alyansa, or incoming Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez.
Earlier in June, the legislator publicly declared that he had not signed a manifesto supporting 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s retention as Speaker.
Frasco said his decision was not intended to create division within Congress, but rather to call for more accountable and unifying leadership in the House of Representatives.
Shortly after this declaration, the National Unity Party (NUP) released a formal statement confirming Frasco’s expulsion, citing a breach of party discipline and unity.
According to NUP president and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund “L-Ray” Villafuerte, Frasco’s refusal to back Romualdez was seen as a violation of the party’s official and unanimous position.
Villafuerte said this deviation made Frasco’s continued membership in the party untenable.
Frasco is the husband of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco. He served as mayor of Liloan in northern Cebu from 2007 to 2016 before his election as representative of Cebu’s 5th congressional district in 2019. / DPC