Returning Pampanga 2nd district Rep. and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo doubled down on her endorsement of House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez's potential speakership in the upcoming 19th Congress.
This, after Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) President Emeritus Arroyo personally met with Romualdez Wednesday, May 18 in a San Juan City restaurant to discuss the challenges Congress and the nation in general would face in the years ahead.
Romualdez sits as president of Lakas-CMD. Arroyo had already endorsed her party-mate from Leyte for the highest post in the House of Representatives last May 14, albeit only via prepared statement.
But this time, Arroyo personally conveyed to Romualdez her support.
Romualdez, who recently won reelection, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the former president for her “words of support and encouragement".
“Thank you ma’am. Coming from our President Emeritus in Lakas-CMD, it means a lot to me,” he said.
Romualdez said he will be counting on the former chief executive for advice in shepherding the members of the House of Representatives, which are at least 300.
Arroyo’s expression of support followed a similar pronouncement from incumbent Speaker Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque on Tuesday.
These recent statements from Arroyo and Velasco boosts an already impressive slew of endorsements for Romualdez from major political groups in the larger chamber of Congress.
Arroyo also served as Speaker during the tailend of the previous 17th Congress.
Joining the Romualdez and Arroyo in their meeting Wednesday was Pampanga Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay Baby” Pineda.