Romualdez re-elected House Speaker unopposed

Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez was re-elected Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 20th Congress with 269 votes, unopposed.

His vote count of 269 was lower than the 293 votes initially claimed by his allies, with 34 lawmakers abstaining.

Among the abstaining lawmakers were Bacolod Representative Albee Benitez, Cebu Representative Duke Frasco, and Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco, whose rumored bids for speakership did not materialize.

Members of the 'Davao bloc,' led by Davao Representative Paolo Duterte, and other party members also abstained.

Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos was unanimously elected as majority leader.

Romualdez, who is first cousin to President Marcos, is on his third and last term as representative and will serve for nine years by 2028.

Quezon Representative David Suarez has been designated as senior deputy speaker, with nine deputy speakers under him.

Romualdez reaffirmed the commitment to a transparent, principled, and responsive House.

Over 80 percent of district representatives in the lower chamber belong to political dynasties.