House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

Thriry-four congressmen coming from different political parties in the Visayan bloc have expressed their "unwavering and resolute support" for House Speaker Martin Romuladez's leadership amid the chamber's decision to realign confidential funds in the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024. 

The solons did so via signed manifesto of support. 

"We, the Visayan Bloc Members, would like to express our unwavering and resolute support for the esteemed Speaker from the Visayas, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez,” the manifesto read. 

Romualdez represents Leyte's 1st district in the House of Representatives and is the president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party. 

The Visayas lawmakers noted that under Romualdez's leadership, the House of Representatives has passed significant measures toward promoting social justice, economic development, and environmental sustainability in the country. 

"We reaffirm our belief that the Speaker has led the House of the People with the principles of unity, integrity, transparency and strict adherence to the Iaw--including adherence to COA audits,” they said. 

The manifesto added: “We will continue to work with him to deliver on the President's priority legislative agenda and uplift the lives of Filipinos.” 

Signing the manifesto were Reps. Francisco “Kiko” Benitez (3rd district, Negros Occidental), Richard Gomez (4th district, Leyte), Jocelyn Limkaichong (1st district, Negros Oriental), Carlito Marquez (1st district, Aklan), Edgar Chatto (1st district, Bohol), Lorenz Defensor (3rd district, Iloilo), Antonio Agapito Legarda, Jr. (lone district, Antique), Michael Gorriceta (2nd district, Iloilo), Ma. Lucille Nava (lone district, Guimaras), Julienne “Jam” Baronda (lone district, Iloilo City), Ferjenel Biron (4th district, Iloilo), Gerardo Espina (lone district, Biliran), Lolita Karen Javier (2nd district, Leyte), Raul “Boboy” Tupas (5th district, Iloilo), Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano (Abang Lingkod Party-list), Gerardo Valmayor (1st district, Negros Occidental) and Alfredo Maranon III (2nd district, Negros Occidental). 

Also signing the document were Mercedez Alvarez (6th district, Negros Occidental), Manuel Sagarbarria (2nd district, Negros Oriental), Vanessa Aumentado (2nd district, Bohol), Rachel Del Mar (1st district, Cebu City), Rhea Mae Gullas (1st district, Cebu), Janice Salimbangon (4th district, Cebu), Carl Nicolas Cari (5th district, Leyte), Jams “Jojo” Ang (Uswag Ilonggo Party-list), Peter John Calderon (7th district, Cebu), Edsel Galeos (2nd district, Cebu), Emmarie Ouano-Dizon (lone district, Mandaue City), Emilio Bernardino Yulo (5th district, Negros Occidental), Luz Mercado (1st district, Southern Leyte), Lex Anthony Colada (Aambis-Owa Party-list), Maria Fe Abunda (lone district, Eastern Samar), Teodorico Haresco, Jr. (2nd district, Aklan) and Ma. Cynthia Chan (lone district, Lapu-Lapu City). 

The House earlier decided to realign P1.23 billion worth of confidential funds in the 2024 spending plan in a bid to augment the budget of security and intelligence agencies amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).  

The move didn't sit well with former president Rodrigo Duterte, since the move effectively removed the P650 million confidential funds sought by his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte. 

Two weeks ago, the elder Duterte went on television to assail the House for stripping his daughter of her confidential funds. He claimed that the Congress was the "most rotten institution" in the country, and that the House under Romualdez should undergo audit.  

The House leadership responded by releasing a spotless audit report from the Commission on Audit (COA). 

Romualdez is arguably President Marcos' top ally in the legislature.