Political parties reaffirm support to Marcos, Romualdez
VARIOUS political parties reiterated their support to House Speaker Martin Romualdez amid reported efforts to overthrow him.
In a statement, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) co-chairman Senator Ramon “Bong Revilla Jr. said they continue to be united and supportive of the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Romualdez, who is their party president.
“Our decades-long solidarity has witnessed and endured many trials which only strengthened our bond that is founded on our shared passion to serve our nation. Through the darkest of storms and greatest of tribulations, we have proven time and again that our unity will never be torn down,” Revilla said in a statement Friday, May 19, 2023.
“Pinagtibay at pinagbigkis ang samahang ito ng pagsasama at pag-uunawaang hinubog at pinanday ng panahon. Sinubok pero hindi nawasak, bagkus ay palakas pa ng palakas,” he added.
(This bond has been strengthened and bound by the companionship and understanding shaped and forged by time. Tested but not destroyed, and even getting stronger and stronger.)
The party has 71 members at the House, including former President now Pampanga Second District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who was demoted from being the House of Representatives’ senior deputy speaker to a mere deputy speaker along with seven other congressmen.
Arroyo was replaced by PDP-Laban national treasurer Pampanga Third District Representative Aurelio Dong Gonzales Jr.
Arroyo denied plotting a coup to oust Romualdez, saying she no longer has interest in the post.
Following Revilla’s statement, Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio announced her “irrevocable” resignation as Laban-CMD’s chairperson.
In a statement, PDP-Laban national president, Palawan Representative Jose Alvarez, said they “remain firmly committed” to the supermajority formed by Romualdez in the lower chamber “as part of our continuing efforts to help bring about the reforms needed to propel the country to greater heights.”
He lauded Gonzales’ election to the second highest position in the House “as a recognition of our partymates' invaluable contribution to the unprecedented work that the House has accomplished less than a year in our term.”
Ronaldo Puno, chairman of the National Unity Party, also reaffirmed support to the supermajority coalition in order to “help Marcos achieve his vision of peace and prosperity for the nation,” citing the progress in the House, particularly in passing key reform measures.
The National People’s Coalition chaired by former Senate President Tito Sotto and the Nacionalista Party of former Senate President Manny and Senator Cynthia Villar have the same stand.
Marcos, however, refused to comment on the matter.
“I won't make any comments about the speakership as of yet,” he said during his speech at the League of Provinces of the Philippines 4th General Assembly. (SunStar Philippines)