Former Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers says Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez's decision to resign as House Speaker proves that he is not one to desperately cling to power.

“Sa kanyang boluntaryong pagbibitiw, labis akong napahanga sa pagkatao ng ating Speaker sapagkat ito’y isang pagpapatunay na di sya kapit-tuko sa kanyang posisyon at handa siyang magsakripisyo huwag lamang masira ang respeto at integridad ng House of Representatives bilang institution, kabilang na ang mga kasapi nito,” Barbers said in statement Friday afternoon, Sept. 19.

(In his voluntary resignation, I was deeply impressed by the character of our Speaker, as it proves that he is not clinging desperately to his position and is willing to make sacrifices just to preserve the respect and integrity of the House of Representatives as an institution, including its members.)

Barbers was designated as then-Speaker Romualdez's chief communications officer last week.

This post ended up being short-lived, as Romualdez resigned as Speaker during plenary session last Wednesday.

Barbers disclosed that a few days before the Speaker decided to step down, senior leaders of various political parties at the lower chamber came over to his office and urged him to stay despite the undue pressures from his political detractors to resign.

"I knew that for a fact because I was there. All of those present in that meeting were concerned on who would replace him," he said.

Reports said that Romualdez eventually asked party leaders to support Deputy Speaker Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III.

Barbers says the new House Speaker, like the resigned Speaker Romuladez, is seen as a coalition builder and would ensure a smooth transition of power.

“Speaker Bojie Dy is a veteran politician who is expected to steer the Lower House to the right path and regain public confidence to the recently maligned institution. With his lengthy political experience, serving as vice-mayor and later Mayor of Cauayan, Isabela; as Isabela vice-governor and later Governor, and as Congressman of the 6th District of the province, the new House Speaker, I believe, is the best choice as Speaker Romualdez’s replacement,” he said.

In his resignation speech Wednesday, Romualdez said: “Today, with a full heart and a clear conscience, I tender my resignation as Speaker of the House of Representatives. I do this so that the Independent Commission on Infrastructure may pursue its mandate freely and fully — without doubt, without interference, and without undue influence.”

Romualdez is president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD)--the biggest party in the House of Representatives.