MANILA — House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez officially filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) on Tuesday (01 Oct 2024), seeking his sixth term overall as the representative of Leyte’s First District.
Romualdez submitted his COC to Atty. Maria Goretti Canas, Acting Provincial Election Supervisor, at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in Tacloban City.
Romualdez, a lawyer and President of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), expressed his deep gratitude to the people of Leyte for their unwavering trust and support throughout his political career.
“The continuous support of our fellow Leyteños is my inspiration to continue the work we’ve started. It is a great honor to serve Leyte and the nation,” Romualdez said.
He was accompanied by key provincial officials, including Governor Jericho Petilla, Vice Gov. Leonardo Javier, and mayors from the First District municipalities. Also present were representatives from Leyte’s Second District, including three board members, showing the broad support Romualdez enjoys.
Romualdez has a distinguished legislative record, having served in various leadership roles, including as the Majority Leader in the 18th Congress. During his time in office, he helped pass several significant laws, such as Republic Act No. 10754, which grants value-added tax (VAT) exemptions and other benefits to persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In his current role as Speaker, Romualdez has been instrumental in ensuring the swift passage of key legislative measures, including the SIM Registration Act, the Maharlika Investment Fund, and the New Agrarian Emancipation Act—key priorities of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
Romualdez’s leadership extends beyond his legislative work, having been a pivotal figure during the COVID-19 pandemic. He led the passage of emergency laws such as Bayanihan 1 and 2, which provided critical aid to millions of Filipinos.
Looking ahead, Romualdez reaffirmed his commitment to Leyte, particularly in disaster preparedness and recovery efforts. He also outlined plans to improve education, healthcare, and infrastructure in the province, while promoting livelihood programs for farmers, fishermen, and small businesses.
“With the unity of our legislators, we can swiftly respond to the needs of the nation,” Romualdez stated, underscoring his dedication to fostering economic growth and job creation for all Filipinos.
If re-elected, Romualdez aims to continue his legislative work with a focus on the agricultural and tourism sectors, providing more opportunities for Leyteños and Filipinos nationwide.
ia/mnm
