posted June 06, 2019 at 01:50 am
by Maricel Cruz

The Visayan Bloc on Tuesday agreed to vote for a common candidate for speaker of the incoming 18th Congress, hinting that Leyte Rep.-elect Martin Romualdez will likely be their bet for the House’s top post.

In a closed-door meeting presided by Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez, convenor of the organization of congressmen from the Visayas, the lawmakers agreed to meet again next month to choose whom to support in the speakership race.“The Visayan Bloc has demonstrated how unity works in the pursuit of a common legislative agenda for the Visayas region. Unanimity in purpose will be our way of choosing the next speaker,’’ Benitez told reporters.He said the “Visayan Bloc members vowed to take a united stand in choosing who will lead the Lower House in the next Congress.”

Romualdez on Wednesday said he remained committed to advancing the constitutional reforms during the next Congress to sustain the country’s economic growth.

Romualdez, a lawyer and president of the Philippine Constitution Association, said the incoming House leadership must continue to support President Rodrigo Duterte’s efforts to amend the Constitution.

Benitez said Romualdez was the only candidate for the speaker to represent a congressional district in the Visayas.

He said Romualdez had a long and excellent track record of being a public servant and a legislator.