Romualdez seen to lead House minority in 16th Congress

MANILA, Philippines - Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is likely to lead the minority bloc in the House of Representatives in the 16th Congress, an opposition leader said yesterday.

Former Quezon representative Danilo Suarez issued the statement even as Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., who is expected to be re-elected Speaker, said the majority bloc would not interfere in the battle for the post of minority leader.

Belmonte also assured all lawmakers that they would get equal treatment in the release of their Priority Development Assistance Fund.

Romualdez and San Juan City Rep. Ronaldo Zamora are challenging Belmonte for the speakership. Whoever gets the next highest number of votes in the speakership race becomes minority leader.

Belmonte is expected to get more than a majority of votes from the 292-member chamber, administration lawmakers said.

Romualdez reportedly has at least nine votes while Zamora has eight. Zamora is reportedly wooing seven lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc to boost his chances to be minority leader.

Suarez said there are developments that could ensure the victory of Romualdez but refused to elaborate.

Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats, earlier conceded that Belmonte has the speakership “in the bag.”

“I think I am confident before July 22 that there will be more clarity. I don’t foresee a messy vote on the floor or a caucus,” he said.

He said Zamora is a formidable opponent.