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.
Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., who chairs the House Human Rights panel, thanked Romualdez for his years of service and for ensuring a smooth transition of leadership.
“Under Speaker Romualdez, we were able to unearth painful truths about evils in our country like extrajudicial killings, POGOs (Philippine offshore gaming operations), and illegal drugs. Those hearings allowed us to hear the voices of victims of vice and greed and were the impetus for the filing of measures that we hope can prevent these crimes from being perpetrated again,” he said in a statement.
“By stepping aside with dignity, he helped pave the way for an orderly transition and gave the House the opportunity to move forward. For that, he deserves our gratitude,” Abante added.
He said it is now time to unite under the leadership of Dy so the House can work together to uplift the people’s welfare and advance their interests.
He vowed to support Dy’s call for transparency and accountability in response to public clamor for reforms in the national budget process.
Abante said he was encouraged by Dy’s statement that under his leadership, no rank, no ally, and no office will be spared from accountability.
“It is the only way we can begin to rebuild trust and restore faith in the House,” he said.
In a separate statement, 1Tahanan Party-list Rep. Nathaniel Oducado thanked Romualdez for his dedicated service and strong leadership.
“The greatest act of leadership is letting go with grace and honor. From his words, I sincerely thank former Speaker Romualdez for steering the House during challenging times and for championing measures that uplift our people,” Oducado said.
He also expressed full confidence in Dy’s capability to advance the welfare of the Filipino people.
“I believe Speaker Dy will continue to strengthen the House of Representatives and ensure that the interests of Filipinos are always prioritized. His leadership will give our people renewed hope for a better life,” Oducado said.
The party-list lawmaker assured his support for the new Speaker as Congress moves forward with its legislative work.
Senior Citizens Party-list Rep. Rodolfo “Ompong” Ordanes also congratulated Dy on his election as Speaker.
“I chose to support his election to Speaker because his goals are aligned with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and because of our shared concern for barangays, farmers, and countryside communities,” he said in another statement.
He also thanked Romualdez for all the support he has given to senior citizens and to advance the legislative agenda for the elderly, pensioners, and retirees. (PNA)