By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Reaffirming the commitment of the House of Representatives to pass measures needed for the realization of the investment pledges, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday (23 Dec 2023) noted that the strategic international engagement of his cousin President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is now yielding positive results that will benefit thousands of Filipino workers.
The head of the super majority administration allies made the statement after the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that P170 billion in actual investments had been generated from 34 letters of intent and agreements signed with various Japanese companies during Marcos Jr.’s visit to Japan in February this year.
“We are witnessing the fruits of President Marcos Jr.’s strategic international engagements. These investments are not just numbers; they represent hope, opportunities, and a brighter future for thousands of Filipinos,” Romualdez declared.
According to DTI, the actual investment generated 9,700 jobs, according to DTI.
These include the P4.4 billion investment from electronic parts maker Murata Manufacturing for the construction of a new production building in Tanauan City, Batangas.
DTI added that during Marcos Jr.’s February trip to Japan, a total of P771.6 billion investment pledges were made.
These pledges are expected to create 40,200 jobs, it pointed out.
“These varied investments reflect our nation’s growing attractiveness as a global investment destination, capable of meeting the needs of diverse industries,” Romualdez noted.
He added: “They also align with our commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.”
(IAmigo/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced Monday (18 Dec 2023) that President Ferdinand Marcos “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is slated to sign the P5.76-trillion national budget on Wednesday.
Romualdez mentioned that it should have been signed before the President’s trip to Japan; however, the printing of the bill was still in progress.
“The signing is scheduled for Wednesday. He would have signed it before he left if the printing had been completed. But I think they are still in the process of printing. There are printing requirements, right? Many copies are needed. But other than that, it’s ready. It’s ready to go,” the House Speaker stated.
He assured that they do not anticipate any changes in the bill. “We are following the parameters. We’ll be working closely with the Office of the President and all the departments,” Romualdez added.
After participating in the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Summit, Marcos is expected to return to Manila on Monday.
The 2024 budget proposal was ratified last week by the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced that local government units will benefit from a larger allocation in the P5.768 trillion 2024 national budget.
“The budget includes provisions for the effective implementation of the Mandanas ruling, ensuring that local governments have the necessary resources for implementing reforms at the grassroots level,” stated Romualdez during the awarding of the Seal of Good Local Governance to outstanding LGUs.
Romualdez expressed optimism that these provisions will motivate more local governments to strive for the Seal of Good Local Governance.
The House Speaker clarified that the budget measure delineates funds for economic development, assistance in agriculture, healthcare advancements, educational changes, and infrastructure upgrades.
“The House of Representatives is committed to supporting all sectors, including local government officials, who aspire to empower our fellow Filipinos in pursuing their ambitions. My office is open to establishing an institutional mechanism that fosters better coordination between the House of Representatives and local government units,” added Romualdez.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — In response to the July 25 State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has hailed the House of Representatives for passing on third and final reading a measure that will create the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to establish the national water resource management framework.
On Wednesday, December 13, Maharlika NuMedia learned that the House of Representatives, voting 254 in favor and three against, approved the proposed National Water Resources Act (House Bill 9663) creating the DWR that would be the primary agency responsible for the thorough and unified identification and mapping of all water resources and planning, policy creation, and management.
“Preserving water is a priority of the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. We need to manage our water resources properly,” Romualdez said.
He noted that the creation of DWR was tackled during the President’s SONA last July 25.
The bill was also included in the priorities of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC).
Romualdez underscored the importance of creating the DWR because it will help address urban flooding issues by providing a framework for stormwater and drainage services.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Outraged by China’s latest aggressive actions against Filipino ships on resupply missions in the West Philippine Sea, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday, December 10, minced no words in condemning the use of water cannons on a Philippine resupply convoy to Ayungin Shoal and the ramming of a civilian ship as “inhumane” and “a brazen disrespect for the rule of law.”
In contrast, the camp of Romualdez’s arch-political nemesis Vice President Sara Duterte was eerily silent on the latest China aggression in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“The use of water cannons and long-range acoustic devices against our vessels, causing significant damage and distress to our crew, is unacceptable and unjustifiable,” Romualdez said in a statement.
It was gathered that Chinese ships also used aggressive maneuvers and water cannons to block a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) attempt to bring supplies to Filipino fishers near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough, Panatag) off Zambales.
“These actions by the China Coast Guard, in preventing our vessels from conducting a peaceful resupply mission to Filipino fishermen near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), demonstrate a brazen disrespect for the rule of law and established international agreements,” Romualdez stressed.
The House leader and Lakas-CMD president added that the “acts of intimidation and harassment” against Filipino fishermen “are not only a violation of their rights but also an affront to human dignity.”
“To prevent the distribution of humanitarian support, as was the case in this incident, is not only illegal but also inhumane,” Romualdez pointed out.
He boldly told China to stop the “aggressive activities” and uphold the principles of international law.
“We call upon China to respect our sovereignty, desist from actions that infringe upon it, and engage in peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes. The Philippines, as a sovereign nation, will continue to defend its rights and protect the interests of its people,” Romualdez said.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that with nary a whimper from the camp of VP Duterte on China’s “aggressive behavior”, it only reveals their true color of being subservient to the “one-party dictatorship under Xi Jinping” which has transformed China into a “social-imperialist” country that former paramount leader Deng Xiaoping had predicted several years ago.
“If one day China should change her color and turn into a superpower if she too should play the tyrant in the world, and everywhere subject others to her bullying, aggression and exploitation, the people of the world should identify her as social-imperialism, expose it, oppose it and work together with the Chinese people to overthrow it,” Deng Xiaoping said in his speech at the United Nations on April 10, 1974.
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Sunday said that the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is ready to help all Filipinos.
“Ang administrasyon ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ay handang tumulong sa lahat ng nangangarap at kumikilos para sa mas magandang buhay. Ito po ang pangako ng Bagong Pilipinas – isang nagkakaisang pamahalaan na hindi naghihintay,” he said during the commencement of Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) in Iloilo.
The BPSF is expected to assist 100,000 residents in the province.
Romualdez said that the government branches will be assisting the residents on their essential needs.
“Halos lahat ng inyong pangangailangan — sa kalusugan, kabuhayan, trabaho, pag-aaral — narito po ngayon sa Serbisyo Fair,” he said.
It is the 9th Serbisyo caravan established nationwide.
The BPSF is the country’s biggest service caravan aimed at providing major government services to less fortunate Filipinos in various communities across the country, featuring the government’s flagship programs.
(AI/MNM)
HOUSE Speaker Martin Romualdez on Tuesday (05 Dec 2023) reiterated his unwavering support for President Bongbong Marcos’ decision to reopen peace negotiations with communist rebels
“As Speaker of the House of Representatives, we reaffirm our wholehearted support to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s decision to reopen peace negotiations,” Speaker Romualdez, first cousin of the President, said in a statement.
It may be recalled that the Marcos administration and the communist rebels agreed last week to restart talks after a six-year hiatus, aiming to end half a century of conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.
“This courageous step towards reconciliation is a testament to our government’s commitment to enduring peace and unity, which are the cornerstones of our nation’s development and progress,” Romualdez added.
“The path to peace is often complex and challenging, but it is a journey worth undertaking for the future of the Philippines.”
The Speaker from the Tacloban Leyte also explained that “President Marcos’s initiative is a bold move towards healing and unity, reflecting our dedication to resolving longstanding conflicts through dialogue and understanding.”
Romualdez also stressed that the resumption of peace talks “is essential for all sectors—government, civil society, and every Filipino—to come together in support of this peace process. Through collective efforts and an unswerving commitment to peace, we can overcome the barriers of the past and construct a stronger, more united Philippines.”
“Bakit tayo matatakot makipag-usap kung alam nating malakas ang ating Sandatahang Lakas at matatag ang ating Republika? Ano ang ikababahala natin kung alam natin na nasa pamahalaan ang tiwala ng bayan?
The Speaker also said the reopening of the peace talks that the previous administration of Rodrigo Duterte shelved, “is more than just a political maneuver; it is a moral imperative, a chance to mend the fissures that have long divided our nation. We are not just negotiating terms; we are weaving the fabric of a peaceful future for every Filipino.
“Let us embrace this opportunity with open hearts and minds, fostering an environment where peace can flourish. Together, under President Marcos’s leadership, we shall strive towards a Philippines that is not only prosperous but also harmonious and united in its diversity,” the Speaker said.
Tama na ang digmaan. Pagod na ang ating mamamayan sa kaguluhan. Bigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang kapayaan.”
The House of Representatives also issued an official cross-party statement, in a collective expression of their “unwavering support for PBBM’s initiative for peace and unity.”
Here is the full text:
JOINT STATEMENT OF ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
As the united voice of the House of Representatives, representing all political parties, we collectively express our unwavering support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s initiative for peace and national unity. This historic move marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s journey towards lasting peace and sustainable development.
We acknowledge the diverse perspectives and ideologies within our ranks, yet we stand together in our commitment to the greater good of the Philippines. This unity in purpose reflects the strength of our democracy and the resilience of our nation.
President Marcos’s call for peace transcends political boundaries and speaks to the core of our shared values as Filipinos. It is a call for understanding, cooperation, and collective action towards a future where every citizen can live in harmony and prosperity.
Recognizing the complexities and challenges of this peace process, we pledge our support and commitment to contribute constructively to these negotiations. We are united in the belief that through dialogue, empathy, and mutual respect, we can overcome historical divides and build a more inclusive and peaceful nation.
We urge all Filipinos, from every corner of our archipelago, to join us in this noble pursuit. It is only through our joint efforts that we can turn the aspirations of peace, unity, and progress into reality.
In solidarity, we commend President Marcos for his visionary leadership. Together, as a united House of Representatives and as one nation, we look forward to a future marked by peace, unity, and prosperity for all Filipinos.
By Junex Doronio
CEBU CITY — Paraphrasing the famous quote of the late US President John F. Kennedy and to show her strong support to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Cebu Government Gwen Garcia has led the Provincial Capitol in launching the “Sugbo Merkadong Barato” (SMB), a pop-up store that will be installed in all local government units (LGUs) in Cebu and sell rice at P20 per kilo for indigent families.
Garcia said the SMB launching serves as a fulfillment of the President’s promise to bring the price of rice to P20 per kilo.
“It is incumbent upon us — upon each and every one of us — to help our President, to help our national government. Ask not what your country, the Philippines, can do, but rather ask what you can do for the Philippines and for our beloved President Bongbong Marcos,” Garcia stressed in her speech on the SMB launching on Tuesday, November 28.
Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez who represented the President, lauded the capitol’s program.
“Marami ang nagsasabi na imposible ‘yan. But as Cebu has done, as it did many times in the past, it has made dreams a reality. And you, governor, and all of you congressmen, board members, and the mayors — you have made this dream possible,” Romualdez said.
Garcia said the program focuses on providing affordable NFA rice at P20 per kilo and other basic goods at a lower price.
“This is all a collaborative effort, a synergy of several sectors that have only one goal in mind, and that is to help those that need help the most,” Garcia noted.
Farm and sea products and processed goods by Cebu’s micro and small entrepreneurs are also available at all SMBs, the governor added.
“Let this be a challenge to all Cebuanos. You pride yourself in being recognized as the number one province in the entire country and the richest province in the entire country. The provincial government is doing its best that it can to support the President that we cast our votes for,” Garcia said.
Marcos Jr. got 1,515,812 votes in the country’s most vote-rich province which has had 3.2 million voters as of 2022.
PBBM’s votes were higher than his predecessor Rodrigo Roa Duterte who only bagged over 1.1 million votes in Cebu in the 2016 presidential race.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Five years away from the 2028 presidential race, like dominoes the PDP-Laban faction of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is slowly falling down with three more of its congressmen joining the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) led by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
The PDP-Laban-Duterte wing is expected to throw its full support to FPRRD’s eldest daughter Vice President Sara Duterte should she renege on her promise not to run in the 2028 presidential contest just like the playbook of her “old man.”
Maharlika NuMedia gathered that with the entry of Masbate Representatives Richard Kho, Olga Kho, and Wilton Kho the total membership of Lakas-CMD in the House of Representatives has now reached 89.
On Tuesday, November 28, Romualdez administered the oath to the three Masbate solons representing the province’s first, second, and third districts in a ceremony at the House of Representatives.
“We are elated to welcome our colleagues and local officials, who, we believe, share our deep commitment to help our beloved President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., further grow our economy, create more income and job opportunities, and make food products accessible and affordable. In sum, to make life generally better for our people,” Romualdez declared.
The Speaker, also PBBM’s first-degree cousin, expressed hope that “our new members will have a memorable and fruitful engagement with us, and we look forward to exchanging views and experiences with them.”
The three Masbate lawmakers were former members of PDP-Laban.
Last Friday, Nov. 24, prominent Davaoeño officials like Davao Oriental 2nd District Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario, Davao Oriental Vice Governor Nelson Dayanghirang Jr., and provincial board members Andy Monday, Benjie Bulaong, Rochie Ravelo, Daud Linsag, and Harold Montes also parted ways with PDP-Laban and joined Lakas.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
MANILA — All roads lead to Leyte, so it seems with the exodus of former DDS (Diehard Duterte Supporters) to the ruling party in order to be formally “baptized” as MRS (Martin Romualdez Supporters).
Among the ex-DDS who have crossed the Rubicon, so to speak, were prominent Davaoeño officials like Davao Oriental Second District Representative Cheeno Miguel Almario, Davao Oriental Vice Governor Nelson Dayanghirang Jr. and provincial board members Andy Monday, Benjie Bulaong, Rochie Ravelo, Daud Linsag, and Harold Montes.
Taking their oath of office as Lakas-CMD members on Friday, November 24, they were joined by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Lakas-CMD secretary-general, Agusan del Norte Representative Jose “Joboy” Aquino II, and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe.
House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Gomez Romualdez (called MR by his supporters) who represents the 1st District of Leyte is the president of the ruling Lakas-CMD and a first-degree cousin of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.
Other defectors to Romualdez’s political party were formerly members of the Nacionalista Party (NP) of former Senate President Manny Villar who financially supported FPRRD in the 2016 presidential race were Dayanghirang, Monday, and Bulaong, while Ravelo, Linsag, and Montes were members of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago Party (HPP).
It was learned that the Almarios and Vice Governor Dayanghirang, whose father Nelson Sr. was a former governor and now Davao Oriental’s 1st District representative, supported the tandem of Marcos Jr. and Sara in the 2022 national elections.
Almario and Nelson Sr. were among the congressmen who closed ranks to support the House leadership amid the verbal tirades from the feisty FPRRD.
“I wish to express my unwavering support for our esteemed Speaker, Martin Romualdez, and the leadership of the House. Under Speaker Romualdez’s guidance, the House has consistently demonstrated its commitment to good governance, transparency, and the welfare of the Filipino people. Being a part of this great institution gives me great pride and joy,” Almario declared.
Some political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that the exodus of the officials from Davao Oriental only means that the Dutertes are losing their grip on their mass base and could no longer claim to wield the so-called Solid South.
They added that if the International Criminal Court (ICC) is allowed entry to the Philippines to investigate the “bloody drug war” of the previous administration that human rights groups claimed to have killed an estimated 30,000 people, then it will be another headache for the Dutertes.
Two House committees have started tackling proposals for government cooperation with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) inquiry into the anti-drug campaign during the Duterte presidency, a move that did not sit well with Sara.
In a July 17, 2023 Vera Files report, it said that “A person knowledgeable of the ICC probe said she (VP Sara Duterte) could be issued a ‘summons’ by the ICC. If she would not comply with the summons, she would be issued a warrant of arrest.”
(ai/mnm)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — House Speaker Martin Romualdez, accompanied by Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Erwin Tulfo, recently conducted a market visit to address concerns of potential overpricing of noche buena items.
Expressing the importance of maintaining reasonable prices during the holiday season, Romualdez emphasized, “We want to ensure that traders refrain from exploiting the festive period to inflate the prices of essential commodities.
Christmas is a time of generosity and empathy, and we aim to guarantee that the cost of goods remains affordable for the majority of our citizens.”
The House Speaker further urged retailers to adhere to the suggested retail prices (SRP), stating, “First and foremost, rice and other noche buena items should be within reach. Vegetables such as onions, garlic, tomatoes, cabbage, and more should be accessible to our fellow citizens. We appeal to retailers to abide by the SRP.”
Highlighting the market visit as part of Congress’s oversight duties to safeguard public interests, Romualdez asserted, “This reinforces our commitment to ensuring equitable pricing and protecting consumers from hoarding and exorbitant prices.”
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
SAYING THE BUREAU OF CUSTOMS MADE AN “EXEMPLARY WORK”, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G Romualdez has lauded the BOC for apprehending a suspected big-time onion smuggler of some P78.9 million worth of illegally imported agricultural products.
Romualdez noted that the apprehension of Jayson de Roxas Taculog who was suspected of large-scale onion smuggling was a “milestone” for the government’s fight against smuggling and hoarding of agricultural goods.
“The arrest of Taculog is a significant milestone, but we will not stop here. The House remains steadfast in its duty to protect our nation’s food security and the interests of our farmers and consumers,” Romualdez said in a statement on Sunday, November 19.
He described Taculog’s arrest as a ‘vital step in curbing economic sabotage.”
The Speaker also attributed the arrest of Taculog to the proper coordination of the police, courts, and local governments.
Taculog was collared by police operatives last November 15 after an arrest warrant was issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 26 Judge Edilu Hayag.
No bail was recommended.
Maharlika NuMedia gathered that the arrest of Taculog was done after the seizure of some P78.9 million worth of illegally imported agricultural goods consigned to Taculog J International Consumer Goods Trading during separate operations at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) from December 2022 to January 2023.
Taculog was arrested for using fictitious import permits and shipping documents.
If found guilty, Taculog faces life imprisonment and a fine twice the fair value of the smuggled agricultural products and the aggregate amount of taxes that he did not pay.
(AI/MNM)
By Junex Doronio
VIEWING THE TWIN NUCLEAR DEALS sealed during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s ongoing visit to the United States (US) as a “game changer” for the Philippines, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the move represent a significant stride towards providing Filipinos with cheaper, cleaner, and sustainable electricity.
Romualdez cited the cooperative agreement between Manila Electric Company (Meralco) and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC) for the deployment of Micro-Modular Reactors (MMRs) in the Philippines.
“The partnership between Meralco and USNC is a game-changer for the Philippines’ energy landscape. Micro-Modular Reactors (MMRs) represent a paradigm shift in delivering cheap, safe, reliable, and scalable nuclear energy,” Romualdez noted.
The Meralco-USNC agreement will facilitate a comprehensive Pre-Feasibility Study to assess the potential of deploying MMRs in the Philippines.
“This initiative aligns with our President Marcos, Jr.’s commitment to diversify our energy sources to fuel economic growth and at the same time address the challenges of climate change,” Romualdez pointed out.
It was learned that the Pre-Feasibility Study will assess the environmental and social impacts, as well as the capital expenditure and operational costs associated with establishing MMRs.
Completion of the study is anticipated in the second quarter of 2024.
The Speaker also expressed gratitude to all parties involved in these historic agreements, acknowledging the joint efforts of the Philippine and US governments, Meralco, and USNC.
“Today marks a significant leap forward in our journey towards a sustainable and resilient energy future. These agreements are a testament to our shared commitment to advancing technology and fostering collaborations for the greater good of our nation and the global community,” Romualdez said.
(AI/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday (13 November 2023) lauded the decision of Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio to drop the confidential funds her office requested in the 2024 proposed national budget.
“I believe that’s the right decision and we hail VP Sara’s decision,” Romualdez said.
Earlier, Duterte-Carpio moved to drop the P500 million request for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P150 million for the Department of Education (DepEd).
“The Office of the Vice President can only propose a budget to support the safe implementation of our programs, activities, and projects to alleviate poverty and promote the general welfare of every Filipino family,” Duterte-Carpio said and read by Senator Sonny Angara.
“Nonetheless, we will no longer pursue the Confidential Funds. Why? Because this issue is divisive, and as the Vice President, I swore an oath to keep the country peaceful and strong,” she said.
Meanwhile, Romualdez remains hopeful that the working relationship between the House and the OVP will smoothen out.
“I’m always…very, very hopeful,” the House speaker said.
“As they always say, there will always be differences but we will always work towards resolving those differences for the service of the Filipino people, that’s our primordial concern,” he said.
(ai/mnm)
In cooperation with the office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, a cash assistance and rice Distribution (CARD) program took place on Saturday (11 November 2023) in Barangay 129, Caloocan City.
Caloocan City’s 2nd District Representative Mitch Cajayon-Uy said around 2,500 beneficiaries each received P2,000 cash assistance from DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.
(Benjie Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
THE DAY AFTER the China Coast Guard (CCG) rammed a Philippine resupply boat off Ayungin Shoal within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez lost no time in assailing the “mythical Red Dragon” while Vice President Sara Duterte, who would always portray herself as a patriot, was eerily silent.
And so was his father, former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte who visited China in July and met with Xi Jinping without even informing his successor President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as a matter of elementary courtesy.
Oh, before I forget that not-so-secret meeting in China’s capital Beijing was reportedly between “old friends” and the seemingly invincible Chinese leader supposedly asked FPRRD to continue promoting “friendly cooperation” between the two countries.
On the other hand, Romualdez on Monday, October 23, assailed China’s aggressive actions in the West Philippine Sea.
He called on China to adhere to maritime laws to ensure the safety of all parties concerned.
“Such actions not only jeopardized the lives of those onboard but also threatened regional peace and stability,” Romualdez stressed.
Again, nary a whimper from the Dutertes.
They seem to be peacefully sleeping inside their air-conditioned rooms.
Yes, I dare say only the hopelessly idiots will believe that their idol is sleeping inside a “moskitero” (mosquito net).
And the universe may forbid that if ever Inday becomes president, maybe we all have to learn China’s national language Mandarin that she fluently delivered in a videotaped message to greet the People’s Republic of China for its 73rd founding anniversary last year.
Now, will we allow our Lupang Hinirang to become China’s province?
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
THE HACKING OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES and the verbal assault of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte against the institution could be just the proverbial tip of the iceberg of an insidious plot to oust Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
This possibility surfaced despite Davao de Oro 1st District Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora’s assurance of support for Romualdez on Monday, October 16, after FPRRD accused the Speaker of corruption and also threatened to kill ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro who was critical of Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Rumors are slithering in the cavernous halls of Congress that the Duterte faction could spring a coup which could unseat Romualdez as Speaker and thereafter result in the impeachment of Marcos Jr. himself,” veteran business journalist Val A. Villanueva recently wrote in Rappler.
Some political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that the high percentage probability that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will endorse his first cousin Romualdez as the administration standard bearer in 2028 may have caused insecurities among the Duterte loyalists.
It can be noted that last October 10, former president Duterte called the House of Representatives the “most rotten institution” in the country.
He also directly accused Romualdez of orchestrating the attacks against her daughter, whom he described as a “good candidate” for the presidency.
On Sunday, October 15, hackers defaced the website of the House of Representatives.
According to the Commission on Audit (COA), the Office of the Vice President spent P125 million in confidential funds, while Congress spent zero of these budgets.
Zamora has defended the proposed 2024 budget of OVP and the Department of Education (DepEd) totaling P650 million — two agencies headed by Vice President Sara Duterte.
But in a statement on Monday, October 16, Zamora clarified that she stands with the House under Romualdez’s leadership.
“I stand with the House of Representatives. With all the issues hurled at the House, I just want to extend my full support and continuous belief in my colleagues in Congress, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, and to all employees working, whether a session is ongoing or not, to deliver the services needed by Filipinos,” Zamora said.
Crossing party lines, House leaders have agreed to reallocate confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) to agencies in charge of intelligence and surveillance activities amid the recent events in the West Philippine Sea. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has increased up to 60% satisfactory ratings in a recent survey while Vice President Sara Duterte has a 14% drop from her rating in the previous survey.
This was revealed by the results of the Pulse ng Pilipino tracking survey of The Issues and Advocacy Center (The CENTER) conducted from September 23 to 30.
Some 1,200 registered voters nationwide were interviewed in the non-commissioned Pulso ng Pilipino survey.
Duterte posted a 54% net satisfaction rating (71% satisfied, 17% dissatisfied) while Romualdez’s net satisfaction rating rose by 5% to 60% (70% satisfied, 10% dissatisfied).
The Center noted that “this is also the highest performance rating posted by an incumbent Speaker in the history of the Lower House.”
Meanwhile, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. posted a net satisfaction rating of 58% (73% satisfied, 15% dissatisfied), lower than the 69% rating he posted during the second quarter survey.
Also based on the third quarter survey, PBBM received a net trust rating of 69% (82% complete trust, 13% do not trust) while Duterte has a 66% rating (79% complete trust, 13% distrust).
Notably, Romualdez has 70% (79% complete trust, 9% do not trust).
Some political observers told Maharlika NuMedia that Sara Duterte and Martin Romualdez will likely square off in the 2028 presidential elections, with Senator Risa Hontiveros as the probable standard bearer of a “center-moderate left” coalition.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
AMID THE FUROR over what appeared to be a “ram-and-run” incident in Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea that claimed the lives of three Filipino fishermen, House Speaker Martin Romualdez has called for “patience and understanding” as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is trying to determine whether it was deliberately done by oil tanker MV Pacific Anna and consciously left the victims without giving them assistance.
“It is paramount that we, as a nation, trust our institutions and refrain from speculating, ensuring the investigation proceeds without hindrance,” Romualdez said.
According to the PCG’s monitoring, it showed that only the MV Pacific Anna passed through the area where FB Dearin was in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
After talking with the survivors, the PCG has been trying to contact the owner of the MV Pacific Anna which is registered in the Marshall Islands and was traveling from South Korea to Singapore.
On Wednesday, October 4, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vowed that those responsible for the ramming incident in Scarborough Shoal (last October 2) would be held accountable. (ai/mnm)
Image Courtesy of: House of Representatives of the Philippines (Facebook Page)
By: Junex Doronio Column
FIRST, HE LED the raid on the warehouses of gluttonous rice hoarders and now he is set to persuade the capitalists manufacturing canned goods and other essential food products to moderate their greed in the spirit of upcoming Christmas which is celebrated by Pinoys as early as September or the beginning of “ber” months.
“We will attempt to convince them to at least postpone their plans, if there are any, until after Christmas in the spirit of the Yuletide season. Masyadong mabigat sa bulsa ang sabay-sabay na pagtaas ng mga bilihin kasabay ng pagtaas ng presyo ng krudo,” PBBM’s first cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said.
It is not really far-fetched that some “profit-starved” capitalists who have no bleeding heart for the poor will take advantage of the oil price hikes and justify another increase in the costs of canned goods and other processed foods.
This time, the ordinary wage earners whose take-home pay can barely feed their family may have to resort to “toyo’t mantika” meals if ever the price of the cheapest sardines will be jacked up as a result of the series of oil price hikes.
With this scenario, Romualdez is seriously planning to convince food manufacturers to postpone until after Christmas their plans to increase prices of their products.
“Nauunawaan naman namin na maging sila ay apektado. But we will appeal to their sense of compassion and ask them if they can find a way to manage until Christmas,” Romualdez stressed, referring to the food manufacturers.
He added that he will also conduct a dialogue with supermarket associations to hear and consider their concerns.
The House Speaker, however, pointed out that the PBBM administration is doing its best to alleviate the situation of the people, “but what we are experiencing is a world crisis.”
“That’s why various agencies are ready to provide assistance because the government also feels the people’s predicaments,” Romualdez further said.
It can be recalled that last August 30, in response to complaints against rice hoarding, Romualdez led the Bureau of Customs (BOC) operatives in another round of surprise inspection of rice warehouses in Bulacan.
An estimated P519 million worth of imported rice and local palay were discovered sitting in four different warehouses in two Bulacan towns.
Prior to this raid, Romualdez also joined the BOC operatives in closing down three warehouses in Bulacan storing P505 million worth of suspected smuggled rice from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand during their operations last Aug. 24.
Many Visayans have expressed high hopes that another Visayan will succeed PBMM as the country’s Chief Executive and continue the legacy of a compassionate and strong leadership.
Romualdez hails from Leyte and could be the first Waray to become the country’s fourth Visayan president after Sergio Osmeña Sr. of Cebu, Manuel Acuña Roxas of Capiz and Carlos Polistico Garcia of Bohol.
Who knows?
As Ecclesiastes 9:11 of the Holy Bible said: “The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” (ai/mnm)