Leyte: Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Monday formally accepted the Speakership of the House of Representatives, and reaffirmed his commitment to transparent leadership and a legislative agenda grounded in both constitutional duty and moral responsibility. "With humility in my heart and a deep sense of duty, I rise today to accept the renewed trust you have given me to serve once again as Speaker of the House of Representatives," he said in his speech before colleagues and guests at the plenary hall.
According to Philippines News Agency, Romualdez addressed the chamber with a message of resolve and constitutional clarity, utilizing the opportunity to highlight accountability in public office and responding to the Supreme Court's ruling striking down the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. Positioning the legislature as a co-equal branch of government with a defined mandate under the Constitution, he underscored the House's exclusive power to initiate impeachment proceedings.
"And today, as we formally begin this new chapter, we do so amid a development that once again calls us to reflect on our sacred constitutional duty - the Supreme Court's decision on the impeachment case filed against the Vice President," he said. "Let me say this with the utmost respect: The Supreme Court has spoken, and we recognize its decision. But let it never be said that the House of the People bowed in silence."
He reiterated the fundamental role of Congress in matters of accountability and reinforced the constitutional boundary between branches of government. "At the same time, we draw a line: the power to initiate impeachment is the exclusive domain of this Chamber. It flows from the people's will and rests solely on the clear language of the Constitution. It is neither granted nor guided by any outside institution. The Court may close a case, but it cannot close a cause. The pursuit of accountability is not a moment - it is a mandate."
Romualdez made it clear that the House's actions are driven not by politics, but by principles. He affirmed that the chamber's integrity would not be compromised by external pressures and that it would continue to safeguard its independence in the face of controversy. "We are not moved by personalities, but by principles. We are not driven by vendetta, but by vigilance. Our goal has never been to destroy -- only to demand the truth. When institutions falter, the House of the People always stands firm. When others fear the storm, your House holds the line. And as your Speaker, I will be here - not just to preside, but to protect."
He emphasized the importance of accountability in public service, taking note of the constitutional mandate of the House of Representatives to be the true representatives of the people. "Our work as legislators is both constitutional and moral. It is through the laws we pass - and the accountability we uphold - that we protect rights, promote equity and shape the future of our democracy," he stressed.
Romualdez thanked his colleagues in the chamber for their confidence and unity, acknowledging those who held differing views, noting that respectful disagreement is vital to a functioning democracy. "To all my colleagues -- thank you for your continued support and your unwavering commitment to public service. To those who have offered different views, I thank you as well. Your voices enrich our debates and strengthen our democracy. It is in this respectful exchange of ideas that we discover enduring, just, and effective solutions," the Speaker said.
Romualdez also pledged that the House under his leadership will act with competence and integrity. "As your Speaker, I reaffirm our shared commitment: to be a House that is transparent in conduct, firm in principle, and always responsive to the needs of our people. We shall lead with competence, legislate with compassion, and govern with integrity," he said.
He also thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for continuing to trust the chamber's leadership. "I thank His Excellency, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., for his continued trust and confidence in the leadership of this Chamber. The House of Representatives stands ready to be your reliable partner in building a Bagong Pilipinas -- a nation that is inclusive, resilient, and grounded in justice and opportunity," he noted.
Lastly, Romualdez called for unity among lawmakers, stressing that collective action must define the 20th Congress. "Let this be a Congress remembered not only for the laws we passed, but for the lives we changed. Not only for the battles we fought. The judgment that matters most is not that of any single court, but of history, and of the people we serve," he said. Meanwhile, Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos was appointed Majority Leader, and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez as Senior Deputy Speaker.
