House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez (Inquirer file photo)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Zamora has reiterated her support for both House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., as lawmakers are preparing a manifesto to assure both officials of their approval.
Zamora, in a virtual interview with reporters covering the House on Wednesday, was asked if anyone has approached her about supporting a particular lawmaker鈥檚 speakership bid, as the House nears its transition into the 20th Congress.
鈥淗onestly, I haven鈥檛 heard of anything. There were no blocs that approached me. Nobody has approached me,鈥� Zamora said.
鈥淚 will always support our Speaker Martin, so I don鈥檛 know about the other names that have been floating around, so that鈥檚 all I can say that I will support Speaker Martin,鈥� she added.
According to Zamora, there has been a manifesto of support being prepared by lawmakers, but she has not yet signed the document.
鈥淚 know that we have a manifesto for Speaker and the President.聽 I鈥檓 actually waiting for it to be transmitted to me so I can sign it,鈥� she said.
鈥淲ell, we鈥檙e (stating) our support for the president as well. So we talked about it before.聽 So I don鈥檛 know if that鈥檚 been drafted, but that was our plan to also give our support to the president,鈥� Zamora added.聽 鈥�
But for Speaker, I will surely sign it.鈥�
As the House of the 19th Congress wraps up its duties, there have been rumors as to who would possibly lead the House for the 20th Congress.聽 One of those believed to succeed Romualdez is Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who was the campaign manager for the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate.
Key members and leaders of different parties in the House, however, said that they would support another term for Romualdez, as he was able to deliver the bills needed by the executive, to fulfill the President鈥檚 legislative agenda.
Last May 16, Deputy Speaker David Suarez and House committee on agriculture and food chairperson and Quezon 1st District Rep. Mark Enverga said that they believe Romualdez will still head the House in the 20th Congress, as having him at the helm will be good for the administration鈥檚 goals.
Suarez said the following blocs already showed support for Romualdez:
- Lakas-CMD
- NPC
- National Unity Party (NUP)
- Nationalist People鈥檚 Coalition (NPC)
- Nacionalista Party (NP)
- Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP)
- Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. (PCFI)