Even an outgoing congressman in Quezon City 5th district Rep. Alfred Vargas believes that the House of Representatives will be in good hands under speakership contender, current Majority Leader Martin Romualdez.
"I have seen firsthand the excellence in statesmanship, lawmaking, and governance that incoming Speaker Martin Romualdez has demonstrated. I feel secure for my fellow legislators and my fellow Filipinos knowing that Speaker Romualdez is at the helm of the Lower House," Alfred said in a statement.
Alfred, who is on his third and final term as a House member, is set to be succeeded by his brother, newly-elected congressman PM Vargas.
Alfred said he sees a sees a brighter and more unified 19th Congress under the potential speakership of Romualdez, who was recently reelected as Leyte 1st district congressman.
He said Romualdez's role as the majority leader during the 18th Congress has been instrumental to the institution's successes. He said this included tje timely enactment of the national budget, fast and efficient rollout of the vaccination program, and cash subsidies and social assistance for the pandemic-affected households.
“We have enacted a significant number of measures to address the immediate concerns of our fellow Filipinos—and we owe a great deal to decisive and capable House leadership. I am confident that the upcoming lower chamber will sustain these efforts to craft more rational policies to steer the Philippines forward,” he said.
The "graduating" solon added that Romualdez "is not only well-respected by his peers, he is also well-loved across the aisles in Congress".
Regarding the incoming term of his brother, Alfred said: “I am certain that PM will exceed all the accomplishments I had for the 5th district of Quezon City. He has proven his selfless dedication to serve by providing our constituents opportunities and assistance before and during the entire pandemic."
The former movie actor said that PM will be "fully supporting the leadership and vision of incoming Speaker Romualdez and will heed the call for unity by the incoming administration for the betterment of the Filipino people".
Romualdez chairs the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.