Leyte 4th District Representative Richard Gomez believes that fellow Leyte lawmaker Martin Romualdez will keep his position as Speaker of the House of Representatives when the 20th Congress convenes.
Gomez, who was recently reelected for a second term, expressed confidence in Romualdez’s leadership, citing the strong backing he continues to receive from lawmakers. “I think Speaker Romualdez will still be the speaker. He did well, especially for the [Eastern Visayas] region, here in Leyte,” Gomez said in an Inquirer.net report.
Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st District and is a cousin of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., is reportedly supported by the House’s dominant ‘supermajority’ bloc.
Although other names such as Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez of Bacolod City and Rep. Paolo Duterte have been floated as possible contenders, Gomez made it clear where his party stands. He said the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, which he belongs to, has already endorsed Romualdez’s continued speakership. “It’s good for Leyte and the entire region if he stays as speaker,” he emphasized.
As for committee assignments in the incoming Congress, Gomez said he is leaving that to the discretion of House leadership. He shared that he had previously served as vice chair in several key committees, including those focused on Dangerous Drugs and Youth and Sports Development. “It’s up to them if they will give me [a chairmanship]. We just submit a list to them,” he noted.
