REELECTED Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday commended police forces under Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III and other law enforcement agencies for the swift arrest of a suspect in the murder of Director Mauricio “Morie” Pulhin of the House of Representatives.
“Justice for Director Pulhin is finally within reach – and we will see it through,” Rep. Romualdez, who was Speaker of the House in the 19th Congress, said.
This development shows that those who commit acts of violence have no place to hide and the long arm of the law will eventually catch up with them, Rep. Romualdez, a lawyer from the University of the Philippines (UP) and President of the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa), said.
“Let this serve as a clear and unwavering message: those who commit acts of violence against public servants will face the full force of justice. There is no place for fear or impunity in a society that upholds the dignity of public service,” he said.
The House confirmed the arrest on Tuesday of a suspect by a combined team of the Quezon City Police District and the Malabon police.
The arrested suspect, Cris Mark Mangarin Bayhonan, 35, alias “Glenn Balbido Robredo,” is said to be the gunman who killed Pulhin last June 15 in Don Jose Heights Subdivision in Quezon City.
Pulhin was chief of technical staff of the House committee on ways and means.
Speaker Romualdez welcomed the arrest of the suspect, describing it as “a vital breakthrough in our pursuit of truth and accountability.”
He praised the police forces under the direction of General Torre for their their “swift, coordinated, and professional efforts that led to the capture of the suspects.”
“Their dedication reinforces our confidence in the rule of law,” he said.
“Director Pulhin was a devoted public servant—a man of quiet strength and integrity. His untimely death brought pain to his family, sorrow to our institution, and outrage to everyone who knew him. We owe it to his memory—and to all those who serve faithfully behind the scenes—to ensure that justice is not delayed and never denied,” he said.
He told the Pulhin family that the House of Representatives “stands firmly beside you.”
“We share in your grief, and we are with you in the fight to hold those responsible fully accountable under the law,” Rep. Romualdez said.
“Justice for Morie is finally within reach. The House will not rest until it is fully served. We will see it through—all the way to the end,” Rep.
Romualdez said.
