From left to right: Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, Quezon City 3rd district Rep. Franz Pumaren, and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co (MANILA BULLETIN, Facebook, PPAB)

Ranking congressmen only have good things to say about House Speaker Martin Romualdez's high trust and satisfaction ratings as determined by OCTA’s 2023 third quarter survey.

According to Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, Quezon City 3rd district Rep. Franz Pumaren, and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, the surge in Romualdez's ratings speaks well of his leadership in the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.

Enverga is the chairman of House Committee on Agriculture and Food, while Co chairs the House Committee on Appropriations. Pumaren is a deputy majority leader.

"The substantial increase in trust and approval ratings for Speaker Romualdez serves as a resounding testament to his effective leadership. It reinforces our commitment within the House of Representatives to remain vigilant in our role, especially when it comes to ensuring the stability of prices for essential commodities, with a particular focus on staples like rice and other vital agricultural products,” said Enverga.

The Enverga panel has been behind the exhaustive investigations on the price surge on onions, rice, and on agricultural smuggling in general. No less than the Speaker has ordered these inquiries.

Enverga said these survey results provide the House leadership with renewed motivation to redouble its efforts in helping the administration of President Marcos address the pressing issues of inflation and the agriculture sector.

“We are committed to the pursuit of measures that will guarantee the affordability and accessibility of basic goods for every Filipino, while concurrently addressing the challenges that confront our agricultural sector,” he said.

Pumaren echoed Enverga's remarks in relation Romualdez's survey numbers.

“We are delighted to witness the substantial surge in trust and approval ratings for Speaker Romualdez, which reaffirms the faith our constituents have in his leadership.These remarkable results inspire us to continue our dedicated efforts to serve the people and work towards the betterment of our nation,” he said.

Pumaren further said that the House of Representatives "remains committed to addressing the pressing issues that affect our citizens, and this survey fuels our determination to do so".

“We stand united in our support for Speaker Romualdez and his leadership in addressing the challenges facing our country,” added the deputy majority leader.

The OCTA survey results showed that Romualdez’s trust rating jumped significantly by 22 percentege points, from 38 percent to 60 percent, between 2022 and 2023. From July to October this year, his trust level rose by six percentage points, from 54 percent to 60 percent.

In the same poll, the Speaker's performance satisfaction mark climbed by 17 percentage points between 2022 and 2023, from 44 percent to 61 percent. From July to October 2023, his performance rating increased by six percentage points, from 55 percent to 61 percent.

“Speaker Romualdez treats his high trust ratings as an inspiration to do more and achieve more, and not as a reason to be complacent. And so far, we are right on track,” said Co, who is also the president of the Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI).

"It is my humble assertion that legislative work under Speaker Romualdez complements the efforts of the administration of President Bongbong Marcos Jr. Government programs are made possible through a competent, streamlined but exhaustive legislation process put in place by the Speaker,” he said.