Romualdez files COC for Leyte Representative; Arroyo seeks reelection in Pampanga, rules out Senate run

Metro Manila, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez has officially filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for Leyte's 1st District Representative, submitting his bid before the Commission on Elections in Tacloban City.

Romualdez, who is a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has represented Leyte since 2019. He ascended to the position of House Speaker in 2022 following the victory of Marcos in the presidential elections.

In addition to his legislative role, Romualdez serves as president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party, a key political group allied with the current administration.

Meanwhile, former President and former House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has confirmed that she will not be running for the Senate in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.

Instead, she announced her intent to seek reelection as Pampanga's 2nd District Representative.

“I have officially declared my candidacy for a second term as Congresswoman of the Second District of Pampanga, where I am committed to addressing the needs and priorities of my constituency and the province,” Arroyo said in a statement issued on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Arroyo, who holds the title of chairman emeritus of Lakas-CMD, remains a prominent figure in Philippine politics, focusing on her home province in the upcoming elections.