Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo responded to the recent loss of her deputy speaker title at the House of Representatives and clarified her position regarding House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Arroyo explained that her absence abroad prevented her from signing House Resolution 1414, which aimed to defend Speaker Romualdez, and emphasized that it contained nothing new for her.
“In any case, that Resolution does not contain anything new for me because I have always supported [Romualdez’] leadership as Speaker,” Arroyo stated.
On Tuesday, House leaders decided to remove Arroyo and Rep. Isido Ungab (Davao, 3rd District) from their deputy speaker positions and elected Rep. Antonio Tonypet Albano (Isabela, 1st District) and Rep. Yasser Balindong (Lanao del Sur, 2nd District) as their replacements. The primary reason for their removal was their failure to sign House Resolution 1414, which, according to House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe, indicated a difference in perspective from the collective stance of the leadership.
Arroyo made it clear that she would continue to support Speaker Romualdez but in the role of an ordinary Congressman. She also reiterated that she had abandoned any plans to aspire for the Speakership again, whether in this Congress or any future one.
“If some intriguers were able to convince Speaker Romualdez of the falsehood that I do not support his leadership in the House, then there is nothing I can do,” Arroyo added.
House Resolution 1414 was introduced to urge the House to uphold the integrity and honor of the House of Representatives. This came after former President Rodrigo Duterte publicly criticized Congress as “the most rotten institution” in the country and alleged that Speaker Romualdez was involved in corrupt activities. House party leaders had already expressed their disapproval of Duterte’s remarks on October 15, stating that he was “maligning the very institution that… supported many of his own legislative priorities” during his presidency.
The recent developments in the House of Representatives have drawn significant attention, with Arroyo’s response providing clarity on her stance and future plans. The House’s decision to remove her from the deputy speaker position has highlighted the ongoing tensions within the chamber. As political dynamics continue to evolve, the role of Speaker Romualdez and the overall functioning of the House remain subjects of interest and discussion in Philippine politics.
