Now just a few minutes ago, Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez retained the post of House Speaker. Vivian Gulia now joins us for more on that. Hi Viv. Hi, good afternoon. Leyte First District Representative Martin Romualdez has been re-elected House Speaker in the 20th Congress, retaining his post in the 19th Congress.
Of the more than 300 House members... 269 voted for Romualdez during the opening of the session on Monday, including Pampanga 2nd District Representative and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Presidential Son and Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos. 34 abstained.
Quezon 2nd District Representative David J.J. Suarez nominated Romualdez, citing the need for a leadership that has been tested amid, quote, uncertain times. He added that under Romualdez's leadership, the 19th Congress became, quote, responsive to the needs of the country, championing landmark reforms. Suarez expressed hopes that under Romualdez, the 20th Congress will be able to help the country address challenges like global volatility, domestic headwinds and poverty.
Romualdez was the sole nominee for the House speakership. And his nomination was seconded by Representative Marcos on behalf of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and other House members from major political groups like the Nationalist People's Coalition, the National Unity Party, the Nacionalista Party, and the Partylist Coalition Foundation, Inc. Marcos, the President's son, has been elected House Majority Leader.
Among those who abstained are... Bayan Party List Representative Shell Diokno, ML Party List Representative Laila Delima, Bacolod City First District Representative Alfredo Benitez, Cebu Fifth District Representative Duke Frasco, and 19th Congress House Minority Leader, Four-Peace Party List Representative Marcelino Libanan. Navota City Representative Toby Chanko and Davao City 3rd District Representative Isidro Ungap also abstained but manifested that they will not join the House minority and will instead be independent. Now Davao City 1st District Representative Paulo Duterte said he walked out of the House session after the roll call and neither voted for the Speaker nor joined the House minority because he said he refuses to take part in a...
quote, political circus. Duterte called the lower chamber more like a hollow theater where the script is supposedly written by the powerful while the rest are allegedly left hanging. He said he ran for Congress to represent the interests of his constituents with, quote, honor, conviction, and the courage to walk away from what is wrong.
Romualdo, in his speech, said different voices and varying opinions in the lower chamber. Enrich debates and fortify democracy. He reaffirmed his commitment for the lower chamber to be a house that is transparent in conduct, firm in principle, and responsive to the needs of the people.
The leadership and composition of the House of Representatives are considered crucial in the push for the president's priority legislations in the last half of his term amid the feud between the Marcos and the Duterte families. Romualdez in his speech recognized the Supreme Court decision nullifying the House impeachment complaint against Duterte, but he asserted that the power to initiate impeachment is the exclusive domain of the lower chamber. Back to you. Thank you very much for that update.
Vivian Guglia joining us live. Never miss a story. Unlock exclusive access to uninterrupted streaming and premium news content. Subscribe to ANC 24-7 on YouTube. And join ANC Prestige today!