House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Facebook)

Ranking congressmen have attested to the probity of House Speaker Martin Romualdez amid recent tirades made by his one-time ally Vice President Sara Duterte.

Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga, and Misamis Occidental 2nd district Rep. Sancho Fernando “Ando” Oaminal all praised Romualdez for being a uniting force in the lower chamber. 

Over the weekend, Vice President Duterte claimed that the House investigation on confidential funds misuse was hatched by Romualdez, as motivated by his supposed political ambitions in 2028.

The lady official, the second highest--ranked official of the land, also issued death threats against Romualdez as well as President Marcos and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.

"These allegations, Mr. Speaker, are nothing more than a desperate attempt to smear the reputation of a man who has consistently demonstrated his commitment to serving the Filipino people. If there were any truth to these claims, let them be backed by credible evidence. But what we see here is not evidence-it is mere noise, crafted to create division and chaos where unity and focus are most needed," Barbers said in a manifestation during plenary session Monday, Nov. 25.

"Let us also ask: Why is the Speaker being targeted? Is it because of his success in uniting this House under a shared vision for progress? Is it because his leadership has garered respect and trust not just from his colleagues here but from the Filipino people at large? Or is it simply because his integrity and competence stand as a stark contrast to those who thrive on baseless accusations and political theatrics?" Barbers, overall chairman of the quad-committee (quad-comm) said in an obvious jab at Duterte. 

Barbers said that in Romualdez’s two years as Speaker, he "always displayed the decency, bearing and character that bespeaks of a statesman".

"I can honestly say that you have treated all of us fairly and that in all the conduct of affairs...Through all the attacks and accusations that comes with the position, I see you always taking the high moral ground," he added.

Like Barbers, Enverga assailed Duterte’s allegations against the House leader.

"Such allegations are not only preposterous-they are designed to distract and divide. They lack even a shred of evidence and are nothing more than a desperate attempt to tarnish the Speaker's reputation," Enverga said in a separate manifestation Monday.

The Committee on Agriculture and Food chairman described the Speaker as "a man who has dedicated his life to public service and the betterment of the Filipino people".

"His record speaks for itself, and no amount of baseless accusations can erase the accomplishments he has achieved for this nation," Enverga said of Duterte.

"Our Speaker has consistently demonstrated his commitment to democratic governance, transparency, and public service. Under his leadership, this House has passed landmark legislation to uplift the lives of our fellow Filipinos, recover from economic challenges, and ensure national security. These are the actions of leader who serves with integrity and purpose--not one who engages in petty, baseless conspiracies," said the Quezon solon.

Oaminal echoed these remarks in a statement Tuesday, Nov. 26.

“It is with unconditional resolve that we join our House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez in taking a strong stand against unwarranted attacks to our esteemed institution," he said.

“We are one in protecting our democracy and in preserving the respect due our government and the Filipino people...We unite with our House Speaker and my fellow colleagues in the House of Representatives in pledging our unwavering allegiance and support to the leadership of our President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” he added.

Oaminal said the threats from Duterte were a key part of what some pundits described as an “unhinged rant” of the latter's perceived “persecution” of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) during the legislative inquiry on the use of confidential funds.

“It is indeed grave and unsettling that these hostile words and acts are coming from no less than the second highest leader of the land,” he said.

He also frowned over the inappropriate response of the OVP to the House’s inquiry. “The public, which deserves honest answers on the utilization of government funds was instead answered with rude and inappropriate words attempting to deviate from the pressing issues at hand.”