Romualdez to step down as House speaker

Metro Manila, Philippines - Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez will resign as House speaker on Wednesday, Sept. 17, Deputy Speaker Ronnie Puno said.

The resignation of Romualdez, the cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., is amid the government audit on alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Controversial contractors Sarah and Pacifico Discaya have implicated Romualdez in the scandal.

“Sabi niya tatabi na lang daw siya para maharap niya lahat ng mga akusasyon, mga tsismis, mga kung anong paratang sa kanya hinggil dito sa mga flood control at kung ano pa ‘yan,” Puno said.

[Translation: Romualdez said he will step down to face the accusations, the gossip, and other allegations against him on flood control and other things.]

Puno said Romualdez has already informed the president of his decision. He added Romualdez told the party leaders about his move in a meeting on Tuesday, noting Majority Leader Sandro Marcos appeared unhappy during the meeting.

“Tahimik lang siya [He was quiet]… Siyempre [Of course] if you're majority leader in the House, any major shake-up like that will not be a happy thing,” Puno said.

Puno added Romualdez has been contemplating on resigning for weeks already, and his family has been advising the speaker to step aside.

According to Puno, Romualdez asked to support Deputy Speaker and Isabela Rep. Bojie Dy as his replacement.

In the Senate, Chiz Escudero was also replaced due to alleged links to a top contractor of flood control projects.