A ranking solon says that this early, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez already has the support of the vast majority of incoming House of Representatives members in the upcoming 20th Congress, thus sealing the latter's victory in the Speakership race before it even began.

“Tapos na (It's finished). The Speaker has the numbers,” Quezon 2nd district Rep. David "Jay-Jay" Suarez said, referring to Romualdez, Speaker of the current 19th Congress.

Romualdez, president of the dominant Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), will step down as Speaker upon sine die adjournment of Congress on June 13. And according to Suarez, Romualdez's second Speakership is already a lock.

This, after some 240 or more than two-thirds of 315 elected House members during the May 12 mid-term elections declared their support for Romualdez, cousin of President Marcos. 

“This is already a supermajority,” said Suarez, Lakas-CMD's treasurer. He called the development a clear vote of confidence in Speaker Romualdez’s leadership and legislative track record.

“As of Saturday afternoon, no less than 240 members have already signed the manifesto of support—and that number keeps climbing. This is not just about party politics. It’s about unity, output, and trust in the Speaker’s steady hand and principled leadership,” said the deputy speaker of the 19th Congress. 

While no formal public ceremony has been set, a full declaration of support is expected before the opening of the 20th Congress in July.

Suarez said the manifesto was backed by lawmakers from all major blocs—including Lakas-CMD, National Unity Party (NUP), Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC), Nacionalista Party (NP), Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), and the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI)—a clear sign of the Speaker’s ability to unite a diverse chamber.

“Speaker Romualdez has shown calm yet decisive leadership. He’s open to all, but never unclear in direction. He has kept the House focused on performance, not partisanship," said the Quezon solon.

The overwhelming show of support, Suarez said, demonstrates lawmakers’ desire to continue the legislative gains of the 19th Congress under the same leadership that championed transparency, timely budgets, and critical reforms.

“His record speaks for itself: two national budgets passed on time, responsive legislation during national crises, and economic measures that position our country for sustained growth,” Suarez emphasized. 

“Continuity matters,” he further said.