By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Crossing party lines, 30 congressmen from the National Capital Region (NCR) have declared their unequivocal support for Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez against “baseless accusations” related to amending the 1987 Constitution.

In a three-page “Statement of Solidarity,” the lawmakers said they are “standing firm with the Speaker from Leyte in upholding the rights enshrined in our Constitution,” adding that democracy’s cornerstone is people’s “immutable right to have their voices heard.”

“Let it be said, here and now, that we the undersigned Representatives from the National Capital Region denounce efforts to foment disunity in our nation! We call on all to respect each other’s positions and the voices of our citizens and their inalienable right to be heard,” the statement read.

The NCR legislators also pointed out Romualdez’s dedication to serving all districts impartially, without political bias.

“Hearing the clamor of our constituents, we express our undaunted support for Speaker Romualdez who champions the efforts of the public for a lively discourse on the issues besetting the future of our Republic,” they stressed.

The Metro Manila solons, in signing their joint manifesto, described Romualdez as the “Speaker for all and a Speaker of the Nation!”

The signatories were Caloocan Representatives Oscar Malapitan, Mary Mitzi Cajayon-Uy, and Dean Asistio; Makati City Representatives Romulo Pena Jr. and Luis Campos Jr.; Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, Mandaluyong City Rep. Neptali Gonzales II; and Pasay Rep. Antonino Calixto; Manila Representatives Ernesto Dionisio Jr., Rolando Valeriano, Joel Chua, Edward Vera Perez Maceda, Irwin Tieng and Bienvenido Abante; Quezon City Representatives Juan Carlos Atayde, Ralph Wendel Tulfo, Franz Pumaren, Marvin Rillo, Patrick Michael Vargas, and Ma. Victoria Co-Pilar; Taguig-Pateros Representatives Ricardo Cruz Jr. and Amparo Maria Zamora; San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo; Marikina Representatives Marjorie Anne Teodoro, Stella Luz Quimbo; Paranaque Representatives Edwin Olivarez and Gus Tambunting; and Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi.

(el Amigo/MNM)