• GILBERT P. BAYORAN / THERESA MAE DULMAN
All Negros Occidental solons voted for the reelection of Leyte Representative Martin Ferdinand Romualdez as the Speaker of the House of the 20th Congress, with the lone exception being Bacolod Rep. Alfredo Abelardo Benitez.
Romualdez, the lone nominee for the position, garnered 269 votes, with 34 abstentions.
Benitez was among those who abstained, after he issued a statement which was posted on social media before the election for House Speaker took place, stressing “I believe our Chamber needs a better leader who will stand firmly behind President Bongbong Marcos – not pull him down – and can help unite the nation behind his vision for the country.”
Benitez said that Congress has been plagued by controversies involving questionable budget allocations, politicized relief, and selfish power plays – all of which have contributed to distrust, disunity, and dysfunction.
“Our constituents and even our colleagues now question the integrity, transparency and sincerity of the House”, he added.
While he did not align himself with either the majority, minority, or the opposition, the Bacolod solon said he would serve as an independent member of the House, be fully supportive of the President, and committed to encouraging broader support for his leadership.
Our country needs a government that works – decisively, efficiently, and with the people’s interest front and center, Benitez said in his statement.
This is not the time for self-interest or political maneuvering, he also stressed.
The NIR solons who expressed their support for Romualdez were the son of Benitez, Third District Representative Rep. Javier Miguel Benitez, Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer (4th district, Negros Occ.), Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo (5th district), Rep. Mercedes Alvarez (6th district), Rep. Alfredo Maranon III (2nd district), Rep. Julio Ledesma IV (1st district), Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Manuel Frederick Ko, Negros Oriental 1st district Rep. Emmanuel Limkaichong, Negros Oriental 2nd district Rep. Maisa Sagarbarria, Negros Oriental 3rd district Rep. Janice Degamo and Siquijor Rep. Zaldy Villa.
Asked for his reaction on the support extended by his son, Rep. Javi Benitez, to Speaker Romualdez, the father said his son has his own reasons. In doing that, of course, we respect each other’s decision, the elder Benitez solon added.
On the other hand, when asked about his reaction on the result of the elections for Speakership of the House, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said it was expected and needed to be respected.
“There were over 200 congressmen who signified their support for the incumbent House Speaker Romualdez, so it was expected. […]I hope we can find ways to help the congressional district,” Lacson said in an interview.*
