Arroyo reaffirms support for Romualdez amid removal from deputy speaker post

Former President and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday maintained her support for Speaker Martin Romualdez after she was removed as deputy speaker by the House of Representatives.

In a statement, Arroyo said she was unable to sign House Resolution 1414, which upholds the integrity and honor of the chamber and expresses appreciation, solidarity, and support for the leadership of Romualdez, because she was out of the country.

“Some people told me that I was stripped of the ‘Deputy Speaker’ title because I did not sign House Resolution No. 1414 that expresses support for the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez. I was abroad when the Resolution was signed, so I was unable to sign it,” she said.

“In any case, that Resolution does not contain anything new for me, because I have always supported his leadership as Speaker,” she added.

Arroyo and Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab were ousted as deputy speakers on Tuesday and replaced by Isabela congressman Tonypet Albano and Lanao del Sur Representative Yasser Alonto Balindong, respectively.

Their removal came a day after Romualdez vowed to fight those who would malign the House, with Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio ''Dong'' Gonzales Jr. naming former President Rodrigo Duterte as the one who maligned the House by calling it the “most rotten” institution.

Arroyo, for her part, said she has been supportive of Romualdez as Speaker since she found out that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. preferred him for the position. She said that she advised Marcos of such in writing.

The former President also denied again rumors that she was plotting moves to oust Romualdez.

“I have never taken or supported any action to remove Speaker Romualdez from his position. In fact, I have publicly stated that I have given up any plans to aspire for the Speakership again, in this and any future Congress that I would have the honor to be a part of,” she said.

“There is always intrigue in politics, often petty. 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,” she added.

Arroyo said she will remain true to her word to Marcos by supporting Romualdez “even as an ordinary Congressman.”

Ungab, on the other hand, said he accepted his fate “without any rancor nor bitterness.”

“I accept the decision of the House leadership to remove me from my position as Deputy Speaker. I have been in Congress long enough to understand the dynamics and interpersonal relations among its members,” he said.

“I leave the deputy speakership’s position assured that I have performed my duties well, with the best intentions and great love for my country.”

He also said that he remains supportive of the Marcos administration.

‘Won’t hamper legislative work’

Meanwhile, House Committee on Ways and Means chairperson Joey Salceda said the changes in the House leadership won’t hamper legislative work in the chamber.

“Political matters are properly the concern of the House leadership and the party leaders of the supermajority coalition. [But] clearly, recent events have not affected the pace of our legislative performance,” Salceda said as he vouched to the leadership of Romualdez.

“The House leadership has given me very specific instructions and deadlines, especially regarding Presidential priorities. Speaker Romualdez, in fact, just followed up with me yesterday on some policy priorities, including the CREATE MORE Act,” Salceda said, referring to the amendments to the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises law. — Giselle Ombay and Llanesca T. Panti/KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News