House Speaker Martin Romualdez has commended Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III over the arrest of two suspects in the brazen killing of House official, Director Mauricio “Morie” Pulhin.

“This is a promising development in our search for justice...But this fight is far from over. We will not rest until every person involved—whether gunman, accomplice or mastermind—is held to account,” Romualdez said in a statement Wednesday morning, June 25.

Pulhin, 63, chief of technical staff at the House Committee on Ways and Means, was shot dead on June 15 during his seven-year-old daughter’s birthday celebration in their own home in Quezon City.

Romualdez, leader of the 306-member House of Representatives, also issued a stark warning to the remaining suspects.

“The long arm of the law is closing in. There is no safe haven. You will be found, and you will face the consequences of this horrific crime,” he said.

“To those still in hiding, the law will find you. This is not just about one man’s murder. It is about protecting every public servant who works with integrity and who deserves to live without fear,” the Speaker added.

The two suspects, identified as a middleman and a lookout, were arrested in separate operations in Caloocan and Quezon City. They are now in custody and face murder charges.

According to police, the suspects were allegedly hired by a couple who once worked for Pulhin and who reportedly held a personal grudge against him.

The middleman, known only by the alias “Balong, confessed that the victim had planned to file qualified theft and estafa charges against the alleged masterminds.

Police said the suspects sought someone to kill Pulhin and had not yet paid the hired men.

“This was not only a heinous crime but a betrayal of decency. Morie was a respected public servant and a devoted family man. He deserved none of this. We will not rest until justice is fully served,” said Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party.

Pulhin was shot at close range by two assailants who entered a private venue and escaped on a motorcycle. He was taken to a nearby hospital but was declared dead soon after.

The Speaker, who had earlier expressed grief and outrage over the killing, said the House will continue to assist Pulhin’s family and support the ongoing investigation.

He also urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to capture the four remaining suspects.