Duterte warns Romualdez vs House ‘coup’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte jumped the gun and pre-empted any move on the part of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to take the speakership through a rumored coup in the House of Representatives.

“Huwag ka na maghabol diyan (Don’t go chasing after that),” said Duterte as an apparent reference to speculations that Romualdez, currently the House majority leader, was looking to oust Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

In his recent talk to the people, Duterte said he would support Romualdez should the lawmaker decide to run for vice president.

Romualdez seemed buoyed by the President’s favor and thanked him for the support, but stopped short of confirming any plans to seek higher office in 2022.

“Currently, I am keeping my options open with regard to the 2022 elections. As the majority leader of the House of Representatives, I am focused on steering the approval of vital legislative measures that the President wishes to be passed before his term ends next year,” he said.?However, rumors swelled the past week that he was allegedly gathering support to take over Velasco’s post in a bid to strengthen the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)’s position in Congress.

Duterte nipped any such scenario in the bud, recommending instead that Romualdez, the national president of Lakas-CMD, focus his energies elsewhere.

Duterte had chosen Velasco to serve as Speaker under a term-sharing agreement with another ally, Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano, who assumed the speakership first in 2019.

Recently, the Lakas-CMD approved resolutions supporting the possible presidential bid of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and renewing the party’s coalition with her regional party, Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP).

It also approved a motion in support of Romualdez if he decides to run for vice president.

Lakas-CMD, once the dominant political force in the country, has former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as its president emeritus.

Recently, Romualdez confirmed having met with Arroyo and his cousins, former senator Bongbong Marcos and Sen. Imee Marcos, to discuss strategic updates.