Romualdez's multi

Could this be the bookend of the leadership drama in the House of Representatives?

If so, then the speakership of Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez appears to be on firm footing as a total of seven national, local, and sectoral political factions in the House reaffirmed their alliance with the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party on Monday afternoon, May 29.

Signing an agreement with the Romualdez-led Lakas-CMD were representatives from the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), National Unity Party (NUP), Nacionalista Party (NP), Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI), Partido Navoteño, and Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP).

With these factions in tow, Romualdez--President Ferdinand 'Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s top ally in the legislature--has the reaffirmed the support of around 90 percent of the 311-strong House.

The leaders of the political factions signed the alliance agreement with the Lakas-CMD separately, with the document stating: "In view of the shared vision of Lakas-CMD and [PDP-Laban, NUP, NP, NPC, Partido Navoteño, and CDP], the parties have agreed to reiterate their alliance in the House of Representatives."

Romualdez, Lakas-CMD president; Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales of PDP-Laban; Agusan del Norte 1st district Rep. Jose "Joboy" Aquino II, Secretary General of Lakas-CMD; House Secretary General Reginald "Reggie" Velasco were among the House big wigs present.

It was less than two weeks ago when rumors of a "destabilization" within the lower chamber were rife; although, the House leadership had said that it "nipped it in the bud".

It was around this time when Pampanga 2nd district Representative and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was stripped of her lofty senior deputy speaker post and "demoted" to one of eight deputy speakers.

Arroyo--an astute politician who commands respect in the House--has since addressed the alleged ouster plot and remarked that being Speaker was no longer part of her "political objectives".

Arroyo is chairperson emeritus of Lakas-CMD. Although she was absent during the agreement signing Monday, she had already seen with Romualdez during House events last week, including the oathtaking of 19 new Lakas-CMD

The separate agreements were signed by House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, Lakas-CMD executive vice president; Palawan Rep. Jose Alvarez, PDP-Laban president; Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City 1st district Rep. Roberto Puno, NUP vice chairman for internal affairs; Romblon lone district Rep. Eleandro Jesus "Budoy" Madrona of NP; Rizal 1st district Rep. Michael John Duavit, NPC president; Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, PCFI president; Navotas lone Dpdistrict Rep. Tobias "Toby" Tiangco, Partido Navoteño chairman; and Cagayan de Oro City 2nd district Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, CDP president.

The last session date of the first regular session is on May 31. This will be followed by a two-month recess, meaning any further intramurals with the House leadership would have to wait until late July, at the start of the second regular session

Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative. won the speakership on July 25, 2022 on the strength of 283 votes in plenary.