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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Frasco a Speakership contender after joining PBBM trip?

Frasco a Speakership contender after joining PBBM trip?

Published Jun 23, 2025 07:11 am

At A Glance

  • Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco is positioning himself as a contender for the House Speakership in the upcoming 20th Congress on the basis of his supposed "strong rapport" with President Marcos.
Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco (3rd from right) walks behind President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (4th from right) at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan (Rep. Frasco's office)
Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco "Duke" Frasco (3rd from right) walks behind President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (4th from right) at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan (Rep. Frasco's office)

Cebu 5th district Rep. Vincent Franco Duke Frasco is positioning himself as a contender for the House Speakership in the upcoming 20th Congress on the basis of his supposed strong rapport with President Marcos.
Frasco, a deputy speaker in the just-concluded 19th Congress, made this claim in a statement Sunday, June 22 wherein he highlighted himself accompanying President Marcos at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.
According to the statement, Frasco joined President Marcos and other key officials in visiting the World Expo and other business meetings in Japan in a bid to strengthen diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties with global partners.
The high-profile visit underscores the strong rapport between President Marcos and Deputy Speaker Frasco, a rising figure in Congress now being considered among those being floated for the Speakership in the upcoming 20th Congress, read the statement.
In the backdrop of all of this is Frasco's recent criticism of the leadership of the House of Representatives under Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, Speaker of the 19th Congress.
Frasco had claimed that there was frustration in the House, and that it should do better.
On the heels of Frasco's remarks, he was dropped as a member by the National Unity Party (NUP), a staunch backer of Romualdez.
Fellow deputy speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. David Jay-jay Suarez has also come out to say that out of the 317 solons who would comprise the House in the 20th Congress, at least 285 have signified their support for Romualdez's continued leadership.
Romualdez is President Marcos' cousin and president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), the recognized dominant party in the Philippines.
Frasco is the husband of Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco. She was also at the Osaka event.
The Deputy Speaker said that their visit to the Philippine Pavilion at the World Expo emphasizes the importance of championing Filipino identity and innovation on the world stage.
“As the Philippines takes center stage in this global platform, it is an honor to join the President in promoting Filipino excellence and forging international partnerships that will benefit our country and local communities,” said Frasco.
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