Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez resigned as House Speaker during the plenary session on Wednesday, Sept. 17, after “deep reflection and prayer”—stepping down from the role he held for just 52 days in the 20th Congress.
Succeeding Romualdez was Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy, who was the lone candidate nominated for Speakership.
A total of 253 House members voted for Dy, a Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) stalwart; 28 abstained, while four did not enter a vote. There were zero negative votes.
The presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, declared Dy as the duly elected House Speaker after the votes were tallied.
Most of the 28 solons who abstained are expected to re-form the minority bloc under 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan.
Despite having no real challengers to his seat, Romualdez reached the decision to step down largely because of the flood control projects corruption scandal, which has affected the House a great deal.
His speech during the plenary session revealed the personal toll the controversy had taken on him.
“In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), our President reminded us that accountability must prevail and that no one is above scrutiny. I fully and unequivocally embrace that call,” he said.
“The issues surrounding certain infrastructure projects have raised questions that weigh not only upon me, but upon this institution we all serve. The longer I stay, the heavier that burden grows — on me, on this House, and on the President I have always sought to support,” he said.
“And so, after deep reflection and prayer, I have made a decision.Today, with a full heart and a clear conscience, I tender my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives,” Romualdez said.
Romualdez sais that leadership “also demands that we confront the trials of the present”.
The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president underscored that he didn’t resign as an act of surrender, “but in service”.
“For sometimes, the greatest act of leadership is the grace to let go, so that this institution may endure stronger than before,” said Romualdez, who also served as Speaker during the entire 19th Congress.
“Mga minamahal kong kababayan, I leave this Chamber as I first entered it — a humble servant, ready to serve wherever duty may call,” he further said.
Romualdez, in his final appeal of sorts as Speaker, underscored the need for the Palace-created independent commission to succeed in shedding light on the flood control projects mess. (Ellson Quismorio)
