House Speaker Martin Romualdez can't help but look back Wednesday, Feb. 8 on the first year anniversary of UniTeam's campaign kick-off for the May 2022 national elections.
In an Instagram post, Romualdez wrote: "Isang taon na po ang nakalipas nang ating sinimulan ang pagkakaisa at sama-samang pagkikos ng mamamayan para ibangon ang ating bansa sa pangunguna ng ating Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at VP Inday Sara Duterte (A year has passed since we began the united and concerted effort of the people to bring our country back to its feet under President Bongbong Marcos and VP Inday Sara Duterte)."
It can be recalled that Marcos and Duterte scored impressive majority vote victories during last year's polls. Marcos received over 31 million votes, while Duterte garnered over 32 million votes. The two comprise the UniTeam.
The top two officials of the country began their respective terms on June 30, 2022.
Romualdez, Leyte’s 1st district congressman, noted that the country has posted gains since that time.
"Patuloy nang umaangat ang ating ekonomiya sa kabila ng pademya at kaguluhan sa ibang bansa. Naibaba na rin ang lebel ng unemployment sa bansa at nakapagbibigay na tayo ng mas maraming trabaho sa mga Pilipino (Despite the pandemic and chaos from other countries, our economy continues to rise. The level of unemployment has gone down, and we've been able to provide Filipinos with more jobs)," he stated.
These "successes" notwithstanding, Romualdez admitted that "there's still a lot that need to be done".
"Sa patuloy nating pagkakaisa at sama-samang pagkilos, umaasa ako na malalampasan natin ang anumang pagsubok na darating. At sa dulo, mararating natin ang pangarap na mabigyan ng magandang buhay ang bawat Pilipino (Through our continued unity and concerted efforts, I expect that we can hurdle any test that comes our way. In the end, we will achieve our goal of providing every Filipino with a good life)," he said.
Romualdez is Marcos' cousin and top ally in the legislature. He also served as one of Duterte's campaign managers last year.