Martin Romualdez resigns, Bojie Dy elected as House Speaker
Deputy Speaker Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III took over as House Speaker after Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez stepped down from his post amid the flood control project corruption issue.
"After a deep reflection and prayer, I made a full decision today with a full heart and conscience that I tender my resignation as speaker of the House of Representatives," Romualdez said in his outgoing speech during the House's regular session on Wednesday, Sept. 17.
Romualdez noted that leadership "demands that we confront trials of the present." He cited President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., who, in his fourth State of the Nation Address, called out government officials involved in the would-be corruption in flood control projects. (Marcos is his first cousin.)
"I stand before you today with utmost humility and with deep gratitude for the trust and confidence you have accorded me," he said. "Sometimes, the greatest act of leadership is the grace to let it go, so that this institution may endure stronger than before."
With his resignation, Romualdez noted that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which Marcos created on Sept. 11 via an executive order, would be able to fulfill its mandate in investigating the anomalies in flood control initiatives.
"Walang pipigil, walang makikialam," he said. "Let the truth emerge, and let justice be done."
Romualdez was the House Speaker during the 19th Congress. He was reelected during the opening of the 20th Congress last July 28 with 269 votes and 34 abstentions.
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the House plenary session was suspended early, indicating something wasn't right. Romualdez reportedly met with Marcos in Malacañang before that, and with leaders of different parties weeks ago. In the evening, rumors about Romualdez getting ousted as House Speaker circulated. Others, meanwhile, said he'd take a leave of absence. Items, including his nameplate, were reportedly moved out of his office, fueling speculations of his exit.
Deputy Speaker Antipolo 1st District Rep. Ronaldo Puno, in several radio interviews in the morning, confirmed Romualdez's plans to resign and his recommendation of Dy as his replacement.
New House Speaker
After Romualdez's announcement, the nomination for the next House Speaker commenced with House Majority Floor Leader Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Sandro Marcos moving to open the nominations.
Sandro called on Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Tulfo to make his nomination. Tulfo nominated Dy, then Isabela 1st District Rep. Tonypet Albano moved to second the motion before voting began.
Being the sole nominee as the next House Speaker, Dy won with 253 votes and 28 abstentions. Those who abstained include party-list representatives Leila De Lima (ML), Chel Diokno (Akbayan), and Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro), Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice, and Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga, who had expressed his desire to become House Speaker.
"Under my leadership, this House will change. I will not defend the guilty and I will not shield the corrupt," Dy said, referring to how he will tackle corruption as new House Speaker. "Gaya ng paninindigan ng ating pangulo, no rank, no ally, no office will be spared from accountability."
He stressed the need to "strengthen the oversight committee and fully cooperate with the ICI." He added, "Our duty is to protect each other. Our duty is to protect the Filipino people."
Dy already worked in Congress years ago, serving as Isabela's 3rd District representative from 2001 to 2010.
For most of his political career, Dy has served in his hometown's local government. He started as an ex officio barangay kagawad in 1982 before becoming a barangay captain in 1989.
He was then elected to higher positions, serving as Cauayan mayor from 1992 to 2001, Isabela governor from 2010 to 2019, and Isabela vice governor from 2019 to 2025.
Dy's clan also holds posts in Isabela. His sons Kiko and Inno Dy serve as vice governor and Echague mayor, respectively. His nephews, Ian Paul Dy and Michael Carlos Dy, are the Isabela 3rd and 5th District representatives, respectively.
His brother, Caesar Dy, is now the Cauayan mayor while his other nephew, Benjamin Dy, sits as the vice mayor.
During his term as vice governor, Dy faced controversies, including when his other brother Napoleon Dy, who was seeking governorship at the time, accused him of corruption in the P1.6 billion Ilagan-Divilacan road project.
“The project is only half-finished after the provincial government already spent P1.6 billion. If you do the math, that means that the administration of Gov. Faustino 'Bojie' Dy III spent around P39 million for each kilometer,” Napoleon said. According to a The Philippine STAR report in 2020, Dy and several co-accused faced plunder, graft, malversation, and falsification charges. There is no available information yet regarding the updates on the case.
In 2015, the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption filed graft and malversation of public funds against Dy for allegedly misusing P25 million worth of relief goods under the pork barrel funds.
Dy is also a member of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the political party of Marcos and Sandro.
Romualdez dragged into the flood control mess
Romualdez was first dragged into the flood control project scandal when Curlee Discaya, one of the top government contractors, mentioned his name during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Sept. 8.
Discaya enumerated the names of congressmen who allegedly get a kickback of 10% to 25% in projects, including Quezon City 4th District Rep. Marvin Rillo. He noted that Rillo always mentions Romualdez as a close friend.
"Sinasabi pa ni Cong. Rillo na lahat ng kanyang request para sa pondo ay galing pa mismo sa unprogrammed funds at insertions na inaaprubahan ni Speaker," Discaya said.
"Iisa lang po ang pattern, insertion or unprogrammed, 25% po lagi. Lagi kong naririnig na salita, para kay Speaker [Romualdez] at kay [House Appropriations chairman] Zaldy Co," he also said.
Romualdez dismissed the claims, calling them "false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping."
"I have never, and I will never, accept a bribe from anybody. Walang sinuman ang kayang manuhol sa akin. Alam 'yan ng lahat ng House Members," he stressed. "I am self-made, and I have been blessed with the trust of the Filipino people. I do not need—and will never allow myself—to be corrupted by money that does not belong to me."
Later on, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, Marcos' cousin-in-law, accused Romualdez and Co of inserting billions of pesos in the national budget to fund ghost infrastructure projects.
Last Sept. 15, Marcos said Romualdez and his allies in Congress "will not be spared" from the ICI's investigation.
In the afternoon, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Romualdez, whether he resigns or not, would still be held accountable if evidence links him to anomalies in flood control projects.
"Maaari pa rin siyang maimbestigahan,” Castro said. “At kung masasangkot man ang kaniyang pangalan at may mapapakitang ebidensiya laban sa kaniya, mas magandang ito ay kaniyang depensahan sa pamamagitan ng mga records na maaari niyang ipakita."
