9 out of 11 Cebu lawmakers back Romualdez

Local

CEBU's congressional delegation largely threw its support behind House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who retained leadership of the lower chamber.

Nine out of the 11 district representatives from Cebu voted in favor of Romualdez during the opening of the 20th Congress' first regular session on Monday, July 28.

Meanwhile, 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco “Duke” Frasco and Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel “Cutie” del Mar both abstained from casting their votes.

The Cebu representatives who backed Romualdez were:

Rep. Rhea Gullas (1st District)

Rep. Edsel Galeos (2nd District)

Rep. Karen Garcia (3rd District)

Rep. Sun Shimura (4th District)

Rep. Daphne Lagon (6th District)

Rep. Patricia Calderon (7th District)

Rep. Lolypop Ouano-Dizon (Mandaue City, Lone District)

Rep. Junard “Ahong” Chan (Lapu-Lapu City, Lone District)

Rep. Eduardo “Edu” Rama Jr. (Cebu City, South District)

Party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon of Ako Bisaya also voted in favor of Romualdez.

Frasco, one of the rumored contenders for the speakership, has previously voiced concerns over the direction of the House’s leadership.

In June, he declined to sign a manifesto supporting Romualdez’s retention, saying:

“The House of Representatives must serve as a partner in building the country up, not in tearing each other down.”

He added that “the country needs a unifying leadership,” but has not formally announced or confirmed any intention to seek the speakership.

Del Mar, who also withheld her vote on Monday, has not yet issued a public explanation for her abstention.

Romualdez, Leyte 1st District Representative, was re-elected with overwhelming support from 269 House members.

His re-election came despite weeks of speculation about a possible leadership change, with several names floated as potential challengers, including Frasco, Bacolod Rep. Albee Benitez, and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco.

None of the three confirmed any plans to unseat Romualdez.

Tiangco had previously signaled interest in leading the powerful House appropriations committee, while Benitez’s son, Rep. Javi Benitez, was among those who signed the manifesto backing Romualdez.

In his speech following the vote, Romualdez acknowledged the House’s record in the 19th Congress, which passed 1,565 measures, including 287 signed into law, and vowed to make the 20th Congress even more productive.(TGP)