Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez resigned during plenary session Wednesday, Sept. 17 as House Speaker--a position he held for just 52 days in the current 20th Congress.

Succeeding Romualdez was Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy, who was the lone candidate nominated for the Speakership after the former's resignation was made official.

Nominal voting among the House members followed wherein 253 voted for Dy, a Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) stalwart. 

A total of 28 solons abstained, while four did not enter a vote. There were zero negative votes.

The presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, declared Dy as duly-elected House Speaker after the votes were tallied.

Most of the 28 solons who abstained are expected to re-form the minority bloc under 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan.

Despite having no real challengers to his seat, Romualdez reached the decision to step down largely because of the flood control projects corruption scandal, which has affected the House a great deal.

Romualdez's speech during plenary session in front of his colleagues betrayed just how much it affected him personally.

"In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), our President reminded us that accountability must prevail and that no one is above scrutiny. I fully and unequivocally embrace that call," he said.

"The issues surrounding certain infrastructure projects have raised questions that weigh not only upon me, but upon this institution we all serve. The longer I stay, the heavier that burden grows — on me, on this House, and on the President I have always sought to support," said Romualdez, who was greeted with a standing ovation upon entering the plenary hall. 

"And so, after deep reflection and prayer, I have made a decision.Today, with a full heart and a clear conscience, I tender my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives," Romualdez said.

Romualdez sais that leadership "also demands that we confront the trials of the present".

'The grace to let go'

The Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president underscored that he didn't resign as an act of surrender, "but in service".

"For sometimes, the greatest act of leadership is the grace to let go, so that this institution may endure stronger than before," said Romualdez, who also served as Speaker during the entire 19th Congress.

"Mga minamahal kong kababayan (My beloved countrymen), I leave this Chamber as I first entered it — a humble servant, ready to serve wherever duty may call," he further said.

Romualdez, in his final appeal of sorts as Speaker, underscored the need for the Palace-created independent commission to succeed in shedding light on the flood control projects mess.

"I do this so that the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) may pursue its mandate freely and fully — without doubt, without interference, and without undue influence...Walang pipigil. Walang makikialam (Without hindance. Without meddling). Let the truth emerge, and let justice be done," he said.

"Ang ating mga kababayan ay naghahangad ng linaw, at higit sa lahat, ng tiwala. Tungkulin nating ito’y maibalik (Our countrymen are longing for clarity, and most of all trust. It's our duty to bring it back)."

Romualdez told his fellow solons to "carry forward".

"To my colleagues: carry forward the work of this institution with unity and resolve. To the Filipino people: never lose faith in democracy, for it remains capable of self-correction and renewal."