Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte, joined by three other congressmen from Davao, has stepped away from the main political blocs in the House of Representatives, declaring themselves part of a new independent group.
The move came after Duterte and his colleagues—Second District Rep. Omar Duterte, Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab, and PPP party-list Rep. Harold Duterte—chose to abstain from voting in Monday’s election for House Speaker.
Duterte made it clear that his decision was rooted in protest against what he described as a politicized and unprincipled system.
“I refuse to take part in a political circus that has long forgotten who it is supposed to serve — the Filipino people,” he said in a strongly worded statement. “I walked out after the roll call with my fellow Davao legislators because I represent the people of Davao City, not the political puppeteers nor the self-serving actors parading as public servants in Congress.”
He further emphasized, “I will not lend my name nor my vote to any side that treats leadership as a prize, not a responsibility. I am not a Dabawenyo for nothing. I have principles. I know where I stand.”
At exactly 10:42 a.m., Duterte and his aides exited the Batasang Pambansa South Wing, shortly after the start of the nomination process.
Despite the absence of dissenting votes, Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez emerged as the sole nominee and retained his position as House Speaker, with backing from major political parties including Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Nacionalista Party, NPC, NUP, and the PCFI.
