Sara Duterte backs Martin Romualdez as next House speaker

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  —   Presidential daughter and Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is endorsing the bid of former Leyte congressman Martin Romualdez as speaker of the House of Representatives.

Carpio introduced Romualdez as the next speaker during a campaign rally of the Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) in Tacloban City yesterday.

Romualdez, who heads the Tingog Sinirangan local party, is running as representative of the first district of Leyte in the midterm elections. 

“Si Congressman Martin Romualdez ang susunod na speaker ng (will be the next speaker of the) House of Representatives,” Carpio said on stage with Romualdez.

Romualdez led local officials in welcoming Carpio and the senatorial candidates of the HNP chaired by the mayor.

Aside from Romualdez, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco have expressed their intention to succeed Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Earlier, Cayetano said President Duterte gave his blessing for him to become the next speaker.

Duterte had also endorsed the speakership bid of Velasco, who has been attending HNP sorties in the provinces.

Carpio clarified that she would back those aspiring to be speaker if they are supportive of President Duterte’s policies.

“I think we also support Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano because he is also interested to be speaker. I think the best time to talk about that is after the May elections as those who are aspiring to lead the House still have to hurdle the polls,” she said.

Carpio said she would support anybody but former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

The ruling PDP-Laban, the President’s political party, is also grooming Reps. Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan City), Lucy Torres Gomez (4th District, Leyte), Alex Advincula (3rd District, Cavite), Bambol Tolentino (7th District, Cavite) and Ricky Sandoval (Malabon) for the speakership post.