From left to right: Vice President Sara Duterte, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former president Rodrigo Duterte (Facebook, Speaker's office, Malacañang photo) 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez still thinks that his relationship with the Duterte family can still smoothen despite its current kinks. 

Romualdez was visibly in a good mood on Monday, Nov. 13--the day before his 60th birthday--as he led the flag-raising ceremony in Batasan Complex. 

After the ceremony, he was asked by reporters in an ambush interview whether or not he thinks his relationship with the Dutertes would still improve. 

'"Always, always, I’m very very hopeful," Romualdez with s small on his face. 

The Speaker also went on insist that the "UniTeam" still exists. The UniTeam refers to the 2022 elections alliance between Romualdez's cousin, President Marcos; and Vice President Sara Duterte. 

"It’s still a UniTeam, the President always [wants us] to work together not just in Congress with the executive, but as a country so we will always strive for that," he said. 

Last month, former president Rodrigo Duterte assailed the Congress, calling it the "most rotten institution" in the country. He also said that the House under Romualdez ought to be audited. 

The elder Duterte went as to say that the House enjoyed "unlimited" pork barrel, or discretionary funds. He also alleged that Romualdez was the one behind the attacks against his daughter, the Vice President, who had been criticized left and right over the confidential funds issue. 

Despite all of this, Romualdez said, "As I always say there will always be differences but we will always work towards resolving those differences for the service of the Filipino  people." 

"That is our primordial concern that we will band together and unite as one for the service of the filipinos."