Manila: Several lawmakers of the House of Representatives on Thursday welcomed the election of Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III as the new Speaker and thanked former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for his strong leadership and dedicated service.

According to Philippines News Agency, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido 'Benny' Abante Jr., who chairs the House Human Rights panel, expressed his gratitude towards Romualdez for his years of service and for ensuring a smooth transition of leadership. Abante praised Romualdez for unearthing painful truths about issues such as extrajudicial killings, Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs), and illegal drugs, which led to measures aimed at preventing these crimes.

Abante emphasized the importance of unity under Dy's leadership to uplift people's welfare and support Dy's call for transparency and accountability in response to public demands for reforms in the national budget process. He commended Dy's commitment to accountability, which he believes is essential to rebuilding trust in the House.

In a separate statement, 1Tahanan Party-list Rep. Nathaniel Oducado also thanked Romualdez for his dedicated service, acknowledging his leadership during challenging times and his efforts to champion the welfare of the people. Oducado expressed confidence in Dy's ability to prioritize the interests of Filipinos and provide renewed hope for a better life.

Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo 'Ompong' Ordanes congratulated Dy on his election, highlighting his shared goals with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and their mutual concern for barangays, farmers, and rural communities. Ordanes also acknowledged Romualdez's support for senior citizens and legislative agendas benefiting the elderly, pensioners, and retirees.