• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Majority of Negros Island Region solons have issued a manifesto expressing their support for Speaker Martin Romualdez, amid the flood control project scandals which have allegedly involved some lawmakers, even dragging the name of the top leader of the House of Representatives.
“We, the Representatives of the Negros Island Region, stand firmly behind Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. We have seen in him not only the leader of the House, but a partner of regions like ours – listening to our concerns, opening the doors of national government to our aspirations, and ensuring that the voice of Negros is heard in the councils of nation,” the manifesto of support stated.
Our work as the newest region has only just begun. We cannot afford uncertainty or distraction. We are convinced that Speaker Romualdez provides the stability and leadership needed to transform the law creating NIR into real benefits for our people- better infrastructure, stronger local governance, and opportunities that reach every community in our islands, it added.
Among the signatories were Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (Negros Occidental, 1st district), Rep. Alfredo Marañon III (Negros Occidental, 2nd district), Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (Negros Occidental, 4th district); Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo (Negros Occidental, 5th district); Rep. Emmanuel Liway (Negros Oriental, 1st district), Rep. Ma. Isabel Sagarbarria (Negros Oriental, 2nd district), Rep. Janice Degamo (Negros Oriental, 3rd district); and Rep. Zaldy Villa (Siquijor Lone District).
In her text message to Ferrer, Rep. Mercedes Alvarez, (Negros Occidental, 6th district), who failed to sign the manifesto on Sept. 12, as she was rushing home to Negros due to an emergency, assured her support to Romualdez.
Alvarez added that the Nationalist People’s Coalition is also supporting Romualdez.
Ferrer disclosed last night that Alvarez also texted Romualdez to assure him of her support.
In Negros Occidental, only Third District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez did not sign the manifesto. The name of his father, Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, was not included in the manifesto.
With one voice, we affirm: Speaker Romualdez at the helm means that the NIR can rise with confidence and the Filipino people can look to the House of Representatives as a true partner in building a stronger nation, the manifesto said.
While the younger Benitez voted for Romualdez for the Speakership of the 20th Congress, his father voted otherwise. But Ferrer, in a press briefing at the House of Representative, said Rep. Albee Benitez is expected not to sign the manifesto, as he is eyeing for the Speakership.
In an interview on Saturday, Rep. Albee Benitez said that Romualdez should make a supreme sacrifice, as joined calls for the overhaul of the entire top leadership of the House.
The manifesto further stated that the creation of NIR is more than a law – it is a promise to our people. It carries the hope of faster progress, stronger unity, and a better future for Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental and Siquijor. For this promise to be kept, we need a Congress that is steady, purposeful and led with a vision.*
