Bacolod lone district Rep. Albee Benitez said Monday, July 28, that he did not vote for Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez as House Speaker of the 20th Congress because the lower chamber needed a leader who can "stand firmly behind President Marcos ".

In a Facebook post, Benitez clarified that he also would not align himself with the minority bloc, which is set for those who did not vote for the winning Speaker.

Romualdez was the sole nominee for the position.

Instead, Benitez said he would become an independent member of the House of Representatives and will be "fully supportive of the President and committed to encouraging broader support for his leadership".

"I will not vote for Martin Romualdez as Speaker of the House. I believe our Chamber needs a leader who will stand firmly behind President Bongbong Marcos—not pull him down—and can help unite the nation behind his vision for the country," he said.

Benitez said,"Congress has been plagued by controversies involving questionable budget allocations, politicized relief, and selfish power plays—all of which have contributed to distrust, disunity, and dysfunction."

He claims that his constituents and even his House colleagues are now questioning the integrity, transparency, and sincerity of the House.

"Our country needs a government that works—decisively, efficiently, and with the people’s interest front and center. This administration must succeed. The better we deliver services, the more lives we improve, especially among those who rely most on government support," he said.

"I will support reforms that uplift the lives of our people, restore public trust through transparency, and help bring lasting, meaningful change. As we enter the crucial second half of this administration, I am ready to do the hard work that our people rightfully expect and deserve," he added.

The Speakership vote was still ongoing as of this posting.