House Speaker Martin Romualdez is on his way out, sources said Tuesday as rumors of a leadership change swirled at the House of Representatives.
A lawmaker confirmed that Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino Dy III was being eyed to replace Romualdez, a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He said that the speaker may take a leave of absence.
Another source said that President Marcos already had knowledge of Romualdez’s exit as House leader. However, he did not say when the change in leadership would occur.
There were reports that Romualdez went to Malacañang on Tuesday, accompanied by Majority Floor Leader Sandro Marcos, the president’s son.
Some employees at the House were seen packing some items at the office of the speaker.
One lawmaker said Dy, who served as governor of Isabela province, may be installed as acting speaker on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Talk of a possible change in leadership came after the House ended its session on Tuesday 30 minutes after it star ted.
Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co were among the lawmakers who have been linked to the massive corruption surrounding anomalous and ghost flood control projects.
On Monday, the President vowed that no one, not even members of his family or political allies, will be spared once the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) starts its probe into anomalous flood control and other infrastructure projects.
“They will not be spared,” Marcos said in a press conference in Malacañang on Monday.
He added that no one will believe in the government’s efforts to get rid of corruption unless those behind the systemic problem are unmasked and made accountable.
“There’s only one way to do it. They will not be spared. We do not take sides. We are not biased. No one will believe what we are doing until we actually do it, and so we will,” Marcos said.
He underscored that the government, through the ICI, is determined to pursue accountability.
The ICI buckled down to work on Tuesday, holding its first meeting at the Department of Public Works and Highways.
Earlier, Cavite 4th District Rep. Francisco Barzaga said he is willing to take on Romualdez for the House leadership.
“I am a very open person, I am going to take Speaker Romualdez’s speakership and I hope Majority Leader Sandro Marcos won’t hold it against me and won’t stand against me,” Barzaga said.
He said that he already has the support of several lawmakers.
“I talked to nearly everyone at the plenary, some are open to it, some wish to continue supporting Speaker Romualdez,” Barzaga said.
Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who earlier bared budget insertions made by Co in the 2025 budget, said he is not interested in the speakership even if there were offers for him to run as speaker.
