By Junex Doronio

AMID COUP RUMORS at the House of Representatives, the National Unity Party (NUP) has expressed strong support for Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, citing his  “decisive, result-oriented leadership” that has transformed the lower chamber into a pivotal partner of the Marcos administration in its effort to sustain the country’s economic growth.

There have been persistent but unconfirmed rumors that some lawmakers loyal to Vice President Sara Duterte will oust Romualdez from the speakership and impeach President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

“Because of his (Romualdez’s) decisive, result-oriented leadership, Speaker Martin (Romualdez) has managed to shepherd through the 300-plus strong House this early the final approval of all of the President’s priority bills for the year—three months ahead of schedule,” NUP president LRay Villafuerte said.

Villafuerte who represents the 2nd district of Camarines Sur was joined by fellow Biocolano lawmakers Camarines Sur Representatives Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata in airing their strong and continued support for Romualdez.

Rep. Migz Villafuerte pointed out that “the House has certainly been a highly productive legislative chamber on Romualdez’s watch, crafting a substantial number of social protection measures in support of the commitment of President Marcos not to leave any Filipino behind in his Administration’s quest for a peaceful and prosperous nation.”

For his part, Horibata said that under Romualdez’s leadership, “the bigger chamber has likewise passed a substantial number of measures meant to further stimulate the economy post-pandemic, and create more jobs and livelihood opportunities in step with the Marcos administration’s goal of inclusive high growth.”

It can be recalled that the House under Romualdez’s leadership has been looking for ways to fast-track the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

With this goal, the congressmen stripped VP Duterte of her 2024 confidential funds totaling P650 million and realigned them to civilian agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR), and other agencies dealing with West Philippine Sea (WPS) concerns.

Maharlika NuMedia learned that the NUP was among the political parties that supported the realignment of the confidential funds.

(ai/mnm)