House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday, Nov. 9, underscored the important role that congressional spouses play in nation-building, pursuing socio-economic endeavors, and in pushing for legislative initiatives.

The Leyte 1st district lawmaker administered the oath of office to officers of the Congressional Spouses Foundation, Inc. (CSFI), which is chaired by his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, chairperson of the House Committee on Accounts.

“As our spouses are our partners in life, they have a huge influence in what we do, what we believe in, what we fight for, and what we will accomplish for our community and our country,” he said.

“And in the case of the Congressional Spouses Foundation Inc., their influence is directly translated into action. They have their own initiatives that are parallel to our own, and they implement socio-civic projects that meet the short and long-term needs of our constituents,” Speaker Romualdez added.

The CSFI was founded on April 21, 1988 by a group of congressional spouses led by the late Cecilia Blanco Mitra, wife of the late House Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr. during the 8th Congress.

The intention was to support the legislative initiatives of the House members through the implementation of meaningful socio-civic projects that will meet the needs of their respective constituents.

Wednesday’s event was the CSFI’s first assembly and organizational meeting and the oath-taking of its new officers.

“We are gathered here today to witness a very important event of a very important organization that plays a significant role, as our ‘significant others,’ not only in the success of our legislative initiatives and our socio-civic endeavors, but in nation-building as well,” the Speaker said.

Saying he was honored to administer the oath to the organization’s officers, which was led by his wife, who is the CSFI chairperson, the House leader paid tribute to who he described to be “both a ranking leader of my home and my workplace.”

“And as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Yedda also gets to be an officer of the Congressional Spouses Foundation. As such, she puts on a different hat, one that I believe she will enjoy the most because the mission and vision of your organization deeply align with hers,” he shared.

“May you lead this organization to new heights as you carry out more meaningful projects that will benefit the people,” he further said.

For her part, Rep. Romualdez said she is honored to be the chairperson of an association participated upon by people “whom I believe has the most influential role in Congress".

“Our roles as spouses are extremely consequential and substantive in ensuring that our partners become most effective in fulfilling their duties in office and even boost the morale of their staff,” she added.

Speaker Romualdez administered the oath of office to the regional heads of CSFI, namely Arlyn Grace Guico (Region 1), Maria Sol Fernandez (II), Victor Anthony Silverio (III), Maria Cristina Puno (IV-A), Eva Christie Fatima Villegas (IV-B), Anjeanette Fuentebella (5), Angelica Alvarez (VI), Nixon Dizon (VII), Roger Mercado (VIII), Keenah Dalipe (IX), Yevonna Yacine Emano (X), Bernadette Barbers (XIII), Giselle Mary Maceda (NCR), Soledad Go (CAR), Indira Maila P. Adiong (BARMM), and Edna Marcoleta (Party-list).

He also administered the oath of CSFI’s Board members, namely Rosario Maceda (Corporate Secretary and Legal Counsel), Evelina Escudero (Treasurer), Michelle Tiangco (Assistant Treasurer), Elisa Olga Kho (Auditor), and Amy Alvarez (Assistant Auditor).

The event was also attended by CSFI President-designate and former Deputy Speaker Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, who also spoke before the attendees, and former Sorsogon 1st district Rep. Evelina Escudero.