Paolo Duterte, 3 others form bloc after walking out of House speaker election

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte and three other Davao-based congressmen formed an independent bloc in the House of Representatives after walking out during the Speaker election.

The independent bloc consists of Paolo Duterte, Davao City Second District Rep. Omar Duterte, and PPP party-list Rep. Harold Duterte.

Paolo Duterte explained that he walked out with his fellow Davao legislators because they represent the people of Davao City, not political puppeteers or self-serving individuals in Congress.

He stated that relinquishing their vote means they are not included in the total vote count and is not equal to abstaining.

Duterte emphasized his refusal to endorse any side that prioritizes leadership as a prize over responsibility, asserting his adherence to principles.

He also stated that the House of Representatives today looks less like a chamber of the people, and more like a hollow theater where the script is written by the powerful, and the rest are left hanging.

The group departed the Batasang Pambansa just after the roll call and nomination for House Speaker began.

Rep. Martin Romualdez was the sole nominee for House Speaker and was elected with the support of various political parties.