Eastern Visayas leaders back PBBM, Romualdez, call Sara Duterte's remarks reckless

A coalition of 45 Eastern Visayas leaders has publicly backed President Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, denouncing Vice President Sara Duterte's recent criticisms as "reckless, divisive and baseless."

The group, composed of provincial, city, and municipal officials, issued a Joint Manifesto of Indignation, expressing their strong disapproval of the Vice President's remarks.

Key figures leading this united front include Leyte Rep. Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, Biliran Rep. Gerardo Espina Jr., and Samar Reps. Reynolds Michael Tan and Stephen James Tan.

The manifesto specifically calls the Vice President's accusations against Speaker Romualdez "malicious, baseless and reckless."

The statement by the Waray leaders highlights that Romualdez, a prominent figure from their region, is being insulted by Duterte's actions.

Vice President Duterte's criticisms against the Speaker emerged during Congress's ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

The officials stated that Duterte's statements not only constitute political attacks but also risk destabilizing the administration's unity and eroding public trust.

Duterte's criticisms also insult the Romualdez legacy, which extends to President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr., who shares Waray blood through his mother, former first lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos.