Photo credit: House of Representatives

Manila, Philippines - Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was present in the swearing in of newly appointed Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales at the plenary hall of the House of Representatives. This is amid rumors that Arroyo was replaced because of attempts to replace House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Prior to today’s events, Representatives from the Visayan Bloc voiced their unwavering support for Speaker Romualdez, hailing him as a distinguished son of the Visayas and a tireless advocate for development in the region. Among those expressing their endorsement was Negros Occidental Representative Jose Francisco Benitez, who emphasized Speaker Romualdez's exemplary record of public service and effective leadership.

"Serving as a paragon of public service, Speaker Romualdez has consistently demonstrated competence, diligence, and goodwill," Representative Benitez stated. "We, the members of the Visayan Bloc, are fully committed to working alongside him to achieve the President's priority legislative agenda and improve the lives of our fellow Filipinos."

The Visayan Bloc firmly believes that unity within the House of Representatives will be the key to achieving full economic recovery from the ongoing pandemic, as well as sustainable development and inclusive economic growth for the entire nation. With Speaker Romualdez at the helm, they express confidence in their ability to deliver on these promises.