THE House of Representatives has adopted a resolution commending former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez of Leyte for what members described as distinguished and transformative leadership that strengthened lawmaking, even as he voluntarily relinquished the speakership to allow an independent investigation to proceed freely.
House Resolution (HR) No. 287 notes that under Romualdez’s “competent and prudent leadership,” the chamber achieved unprecedented legislative productivity, acting on 13,971 measures, approving 1,597 and turning more than 350 into laws during the 19th Congress.
This, the measure said, set “a new standard for efficiency and purpose in Philippine legislative history.”
The resolution was introduced by newly-elected Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos, House Minority Leader Marcelino C. Libanan, Senior Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” C. Suarez, Deputy Speakers Janette L. Garin, Yasser Alonto Balindong, Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V, Jefferson F. Khonghun, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Ronaldo V. Puno, Ferjenel G. Biron, Raymond Democrito C. Mendoza and Yevgeny Vincente B. Emano.
Colleagues lauded the Speaker for bridging political divides and generations, fostering a spirit of collegiality that made the House responsive to the needs of Filipinos.
The resolution stressed that Romualdez promoted “inclusive participation among party lines and generations, thus ensuring that the legislative body remained responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.”
The adopted measure highlights that through Romualdez’s strategic leadership, the House shepherded into law key priority bills identified by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
These include the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act, the Maharlika Investment Fund Act of 2023, the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act, and the Ease of Paying Taxes Act, among others.
It also cites his commitment to oversight and accountability, pointing to investigations into agricultural smuggling, irregular power costs and misuse of public funds.
By ensuring that “the House exercised its oversight functions with diligence and integrity,” Romualdez reinforced transparency and good governance.
The resolution further underscores that Romualdez voluntarily stepped down as Speaker not because of any wrongdoing or illegality but to give way to transparency and accountability, allowing any questions over government projects to be resolved without pressure, influence or fear.
This, it states, was “a conscious act to preserve the trust of the people and to strengthen democratic institutions.”
Lawmakers likewise highlighted his success in parliamentary diplomacy, noting engagements with U.S. congressional leaders to support President Marcos’s official visit to Washington, which helped open doors for greater cooperation and investment between the Philippines and the United States.
The resolution recognizes that Romualdez’s tenure “consistently earned high public trust ratings and commendations from his peers,” and would be remembered as “a period of decisive action, transformative legislation, and unwavering commitment to national progress.”
Describing him as the “architect of consensus,” the measure commends Romualdez for leadership “anchored in strategic foresight, inclusive governance and constructive dialogue – uniting lawmakers across party lines and fostering a collaborative environment that enabled the enactment of transformative legislation and the conduct of robust parliamentary oversight.”
It adds that his purposive, action-oriented approach “elevated the performance of the House and reinforced its role as a pillar of democratic governance and national development,” ensuring that the chamber addressed urgent issues while keeping long-term national goals in focus.
Members who supported the measure said the Speaker’s brand of leadership strengthened the House’s role as an institution, proving that a legislature anchored on cooperation and principle can help deliver concrete gains for Filipino families across economic, education, and health fronts.
In adopting the resolution, the chamber commended Romualdez “for his distinguished and transformative leadership in the House of Representatives and for his enduring contributions to the advancement of legislative excellence, national unity, and public service.”
