ML Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima Reacts To Change in Leadership in the House
LEILA DE LIMA – The Mamamayang Liberal Representative spoke on the change in leadership of the House of Representatives after Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s resignation as House Speaker.
On the eve of Tuesday, many Filipinos were left confused as claims and speculations that House Speaker Martin Romualdez is resigning from his position crossed the surface. There were reports about some House personnel being seen bringing out the things of Romualdez including his nameplate from the House Speaker’s Office.
Shortly after the rumors and speculations crossed the surface, Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronaldo Puno confirmed the decision of House Speaker Martin Romualdez to resign from his position. According to Puno, the House Speaker called for a meeting and told them about his decision as he is concerned over the integrity of the House of Representatives.
The resignation of Romualdez from the position elicited mixed reactions from the Filipino people. The Leyte Congressman’s decision came amid the accusations against him over the flood control mess in the country. He is one of the government officials mentioned in the testimony of controversial contractors Pacifico and Sarah Discaya who allegedly receive kickback from the flood control projects.
According to the Discayas, Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co allegedly receive a 30% kickback from the flood control projects. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives conducted hearings over the flood control issue. During a House probe, Pacifico Discaya claimed that he never had a direct transaction with the Speaker.
Then House Speaker Martin Romualdez denied the claim of the Discayas that linked him to the flood control issue. According to him, anyone who uses his name for benefits should be held accountable. He stressed that he is “self-made” and will not allow himself to be corrupted by the money that does not belong to him.
Despite the accusations against the then Speaker, several members of the House clarified that “there’s no change in leadership”. They also affirmed their support on their leader. Thus, the change in leadership in the House somehow shocked many people today. One of those who reacted to the resignation of House Speaker Martin Romualdez is Mamamayang Liberal partylist Rep. Leila de Lima.
Based on a post of News5 on social media, ML Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima believes that the change of leadership in the House of Representatives is a good move. De Lima, a former senator and secretary of the Department of Justice, clarified that her remarks has no intention of casting doubts on the reputation of Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez who just resigned from being the House Speaker.
“Actually, para sa akin, tamang hakbang ‘yan. Without casting any doubt on the reputation, integrity of the Speaker, pero tamang hakbang ‘yan para mawala sa isipan ng publiko na baka wala namang mangyayari sa mga imbestigasyon na ‘yan,” ML Rep. Leila de Lima said.
Furthermore, based on the post, Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Rep. Leila de Lima stressed that the reputation of the House of Representatives is above any individual reputation now.
“So, it’s more than any individual reputation now we’re talking about. It’s the very reputation, credibility, integrity and dignity ng buong House of Representatives,” De Lima said.
House Deputy Speaker and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun also spoke on Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez’s resignation from being the House Speaker and called it a “sacrifice for the chamber and the nation”.