Romualdez steps down; Dy takes over

Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez resigned as House Speaker during the plenary session on Wednesday, Sept. 17, after "deep reflection and prayer"-stepping down from the role he held for just 52 days in the current 20th Congress.

- By ELLSON UISMORIO

Succeeding Romualdez was Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino “Bojie” Dy, who was the lone candidate nominated for Speakership.

A total of 253 House members voted for Dy, a Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) stalwart; 28 abstained, while four did not enter a vote. There were zero negative votes.

The presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Ilocos Sur 2nd district Rep. Kristine Singson-Meehan, declared Dy as the duly elected House Speaker after the votes were tallied.

Most of the 28 solons who abstained are expected to reform the minority bloc under 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan.