“No leader is ever beyond the reach of the law,” says Romualdez
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – The House Speaker emphasized that no leader is above the law or the Constitution. He made this statement during a gathering of the Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA) at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City on Monday evening to celebrate Constitution Day.
Romualdez, who also serves as PHILCONSA’s president, stressed that the Constitution is not just a passive document—it demands obedience, sets limitations, and holds people accountable. He urged that no institution, office, or leader should be beyond the law’s reach.
“The Constitution is not a passive document; it commands obedience, it imposes limits, and most importantly, it demands accountability. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no institution, no office, and no leader is ever beyond the reach of the law,” he said.
He acknowledged that while the Constitution is resilient, it is not indestructible. Its strength depends on those who uphold it—lawyers, judges, scholars, and legislators—who must ensure that no ambition overrides the rule of law and that convenience never justifies its violation.
The event was attended by PHILCONSA Chairman and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, as well as other jurists and lawyers. Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia was the guest of honor.
Romualdez described the Constitution as the nation’s soul, binding leaders to their duties while protecting the rights of the people. He emphasized that Constitution Day is more than just a celebration of a document—it is a reminder of the responsibility to safeguard it.
He called on attendees to reaffirm their commitment to defending the Constitution, interpreting it with integrity, and applying it fairly. He reminded them that the Constitution endures not simply because it is written, but because those who uphold it refuse to let it be ignored.