Frasco defies party line, says Romualdez-led House needs unity

Metro Manila, Philippines - House Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco has refused to sign a manifesto support for House Speaker Martin Romualdez, saying the lower chamber needs leadership that “unites rather than divides.”

Frasco said on Monday, June 9, he decided not to sign the manifesto after having discussions with his colleagues, local leaders, and his constituents in Cebu. This led to his expulsion from the National Unity Party (NUP).

“A shared frustration has emerged. There is deep disappointment that the unity our people once hoped for has been steadily undermined by political and personal interests,” he said in a statement.

“The President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) has consistently called for unity, stability, and a government that delivers meaningful change. I firmly believe that the House of Representatives should reflect these values, not only through the laws we pass, but also in the leadership that we uphold,” he added.

Frasco said the House can “do better.”

House Deputy Speaker Jay-Jay Suarez and Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales, however, said Romualdez continues to maintain support from fellow representatives as 285 members have signed the manifesto support.

“I think that is a true sign of unity when it comes to the members of the House of Representatives wherein we want continuity, we want true leadership that can address the issues being faced by our country,” Suarez said in a chance interview.

“If there is unity that needs to be shown, I think the manifesto support that Speaker Martin Romualdez has gained as of this moment, is a true sign of unity in the House of Representatives,” he said.

“Nandito po ako halos araw-araw. Wala po akong alam na hindi pagkakaintindihan ng liderato,” Gonzales told reporters. “All Congress persons in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are all happy.”

[Translation: I am here almost every day. I do not know any conflict in the leadership.]

The NUP removed Frasco from the political party after refusing to support the House speaker. NUP President and Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte said they have no idea what discord Frasco is pertaining to.

“The members of the supermajority coalition, with Duke’s exception, are four-square behind Speaker Martin to remain at the helm of the House of Representatives in the next Congress to help stay the course of President Marcos’ agenda of better lives for all Filipinos,” Villafuerte said in a separate statement. “If there is anyone guilty of sowing disunity and discord and advancing political and personal interests, it is Duke himself.”

Villafuerte noted that unity is stronger now than before.