Bojie Dy replaces Martin Romualdez as House speaker

Metro Manila, Philippines - 

Romualdez stepped down as speaker after he and a number of lawmakers were linked to corruption in flood control projects, while others were also tagged in questionable insertions in the current budget.

A deputy speaker, Dy obtained 253 votes. Twenty-eight abstained and four lawmakers did not vote.

Dy assured the public of accountability among his fellow lawmakers.

“Bilang anak ng lalawigan ng Isabela, alam na alam ko ang mga pagsubok na dala ng matinding bagyo, ang pagkasira ng mga bahay at buhay tuwing tumataas ang tubig-baha,” Dy said in his speech.

[Translation: As someone who hails from Isabela, I know the challenges brought by strong storms, the destruction of houses and lives every time flood waters rise.]

“I will not defend the guilty and I will not shield the corrupt,” he said. “Our duty is not to protect each other but to protect the Filipino people.”

The lawmaker was Isabela vice governor from 2019 until he was elected district representative in the midterm election. He was governor from 2010 to 2019. Dy was also 3rd district representative in 2001 to 2010.

Aside from the House speakership, the majority and minority leaders remained as well as committee chairmanships.

The resignation of Romualdez rounded up the leadership change in Congress after the Senate shake-up that ousted Chiz Escudero as president as well as Jinggoy Estrada as president pro tempore, and Joel Villanueva as majority leader. All three former Senate officials were tagged as well in the flood control scandal.