Latest news with #MartinRomualdez
South China Morning Post
19 hours ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Philippines' Duterte vs Marcos battle for 2028 begins: ‘they've smelled blood'
As the dust settles from the shock of the Philippines ' midterm election, it is clear that President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and his dynastic rivals, the Dutertes, have fought to a stalemate, with both camps securing an equal number of Senate seats. Advertisement This political deadlock ensures that the immediate focus of national politics will revolve around the rivalry between the two powerful clans. For Marcos' administration, pressing economic and foreign-policy issues are likely to take a back seat to two urgent priorities: removing Sara Duterte-Carpio from the vice-presidency, and preparing for the 2028 presidential race. 'All politicians' attention will be on 2028, on who has the best chance of winning,' said Ronald Llamas, political strategist and former presidential adviser. 'Whether overtly or covertly, politicians will begin to gravitate to whoever is No 1 or No 2 in surveys for the presidential elections,' he told This Week in Asia. Unfortunately for the Marcoses, early surveys have not been kind. President Marcos himself is barred from seeking re-election in 2028 by constitutional term limits, even if his popularity were higher. His cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, has been floated as a potential contender, but his abysmal approval ratings – reportedly less than 1 per cent – make him an unlikely flag-bearer for the Marcos camp. Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio enjoys high approval ratings. Photo: AP By contrast, Duterte-Carpio remains a formidable challenger, buoyed by the enduring popularity of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte . 'Her ratings have dropped but they're still high,' Llamas said.
Free Malaysia Today
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Philippine senate to convene impeachment court next month
Philippine vice-president Sara Duterte's hearings will begin in late July, after incoming senators take their seats. (AP pic) MANILA : The Philippine senate will convene the impeachment court that will decide the future of vice-president Sara Duterte on June 3, according to a document seen by AFP on Friday. Duterte was impeached by the house of representatives in February for 'high crimes' including corruption and an alleged assassination plot against former ally and running mate president Ferdinand Marcos. Senate president Francis Escudero has said hearings would begin in late July after incoming senators take their seats. The impeachment trial was a key talking point in this month's mid-term elections, which decided half the upper body's 24 senators who will serve as her jury. Escudero informed house speaker Martin Romualdez that the upper house would be ready to hear charges on June 2 before convening the court, according to a photo of the letter forwarded to AFP. 'As stated in our letter dated Feb 24, 2025, the Senate shall expect the prosecution to read the seven charges under the articles of impeachment in open session,' Escudero said in the letter dated May 19, 2025. 'Thereafter, the senate shall be convened as an impeachment court at 9am on June 3, 2025 for the purpose of issuing the summons and such other relevant orders,' it continues. The vice-president needs nine votes from the full 24-seat senate for an acquittal. Losing would mean her removal and a permanent ban from public office. Analysts told AFP last week that the outcome of the May 12 election appeared positive for Duterte, who saw an ally snare an unexpected seat while the president's ticket scored one fewer than predicted. Duterte swept to power in 2022 in an alliance with Marcos that began crumbling almost immediately. The feud exploded into open warfare this year with her impeachment and the subsequent arrest and transfer of her father, ex-president Rodrigo Duterte, to face charges at the international criminal court at the Hague tied to his deadly drug war. Marcos said in a podcast interview after the elections he was willing to reconcile with the Duterte clan but maintained that he had no involvement in the impeachment process. 'Let's leave that to the senate, which has its own processes for it,' Marcos said. The vice-president's office did not respond immediately to AFP's request for comment.
GMA Network
23-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Romualdez to foreign lawmakers: PH remains steadfast in protecting sovereignty in WPS
Speaker Martin Romualdez of Leyte touted the Philippines' readiness to defend its sovereign rights within its waters and exclusive economic zone (EEZ) before lawmakers from different countries of the world. Romualdez made the speech during the 29th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum (PI-SF) held in Spain on Thursday afternoon (Manila time). Romualdez cited the Philippines' commitment to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 Arbitral Award issued by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration which upheld the Philippines' 200 nautical miles off territorial sea EEZ in West Philippine Sea and rejected China's sweeping nine-dash claims in the area. 'Let me be clear: the Philippines remains steadfast in protecting our rights and entitlements in the West Philippine Sea by upholding international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS and the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award. We categorically reject attempts to undermine our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction through coercion or disinformation,' Romualdez said. 'Our approach is anchored on legal clarity, diplomatic dialogue, leveraging partnerships, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. We will not allow foreign narratives to distort the truth on the ground. Nor will we permit coercive actions to dictate our national destiny,' he added. Rule of Law The Speaker's remarks came in the aftermath of the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) report on Thursday that a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship fired water cannon and sideswiped a Philippine BFAR vessel in Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) in the West Philippine Sea where the BFAR vessel is conducting a marine scientific research initiative. The said area is within the Philippines' EEZ. Prior to the BFAR incident, Chinese Coast Guard vessels had also used water cannons against Philippine supply boats in several incidents and conducted dangerous blocking maneuvers near Ayungin Shoal, as well as swarmed Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, which were all condemned by Philippine officials and international observers. 'These are not isolated incidents. This is not just a regional issue. It is a global test of whether the rule of law will prevail over brute force,' Romualdez added. The Speaker then called on the Philippines' fellow democratic nations to remain vigilant and united against gray-zone tactics, cyber-enabled propaganda, and the creeping erosion of maritime law and order. 'We serve not only as lawmakers but as standard-bearers of the democratic rule of law. In an age when misinformation, cyberattacks, and technological disruption threaten the very fabric of our societies, the need for vigilance and unity among democracies has never been greater,' Romualdez said. 'Forums like the PI-SF allow us to expand these initiatives globally. Here, we are not merely exchanging intelligence — we are building solidarity, mutual understanding, and the legislative muscle to defend freedom and prosperity in this rapidly shifting world,' Romualdez added. Hosted by the Spanish Senate and chaired by former US lawmaker Robert Pittenger of North Carolina, the 29th PI-SF convened over 40 nations to align strategies on countering global threats. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
VP Sara says she asked Pulong to either run for Speaker or minority leader
Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday said that she had suggested to her brother, reelected Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo 'Pulong' Duterte, to run for House speaker or minority leader in the 20th Congress. 'Sinabihan ko si Congressman Pulong. Sabi ko sa kaniya, 'Baka gusto mo lumaban ng Speaker.' Hindi pa siya sumagot. Inisip din niya siguro 'yung chances niya na manalo,' Duterte said in a briefing with reporters, as reported by Jonathan Andal on 24 Oras Weekend on Saturday. (I asked Congressman Pulong. I told him, 'Maybe you want to run for Speaker.' He has not yet responded. He must have also thought about his chances of winning.) 'Sinabi ko sa kaniya, 'Kung hindi ka manalo ng Speaker, then kunin mo 'yung minority'… Wala akong candidate for Speaker or for Senate President. Wala din lumapit sa akin for Speaker or for Senate President,' she added. (I told him, if you do not win as Speaker, then you should go for the minority leadership… I do not have a candidate for Speaker or for Senate President. No one has approached me to seek my support for Speaker or for Senate President.) Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez's allies are confident that he will remain in office. Deputy Speaker David ''Jay-Jay'' Suarez said at least 240 congressmen have signed the manifesto of support for Romualdez. 'Kung titignan natin sa numero at bilang pa lang, sigurado na po tayo na magpapatuloy si Speaker Martin Romualdez bilang Speaker ng Kongreso sa susunod na tatlong taon. We're very confident with the support na pinakita ng mga partido,' Suarez said. (If we look at the numbers, we are sure that Speaker Martin Romualdez will continue as Speaker of Congress for the next three years. We're very confident with the support shown by the parties.) Suarez said the initiative was backed by lawmakers from all major blocs—including Lakas-CMD, National Unity Party (NUP), Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC), Nacionalista Party (NP), Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), and the Party-list Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI). 'Napaka-kritikal po 'yung susunod na tatlong taon para sa ating bansa. At napakahalaga na stable at nakakaisa ang Kongreso behind our President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos,' Suarez said. (The next three years are very critical for our country, and it is very important that Congress is stable and united behind our President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos). Suarez clarified that the meeting of party leaders on Friday was not for a 'loyalty check.' 'It's more of a meet and greet,' Suarez said. — Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Party leaders in House meet to discuss 20th Congress, committees
"We have three years, and we have 315 congressmen. So there's so much work and preparation that needs to be done, especially when it comes to issues like committee assignments," Suarez said. Leaders of political parties in the House of Representatives met on Friday to discuss the incoming 20th Congress, including committee assignments, a day after the Commission on Elections completed the national canvass in Eleksyon 2025. House Deputy Speaker David "Jay-jay" Suarez, who won reelection as representative of the second district of Quezon, said there was much to be done so that the House can immediately function when they start work on July 1. "We have three years, and we have 315 congressmen. So there's so much work and preparation that needs to be done, especially when it comes to issues like committee assignments," Suarez said. Several legislators also expressed support for Leyte 1st district Rep Martin Romualdez as Speaker. Romualdez is the president of Lakas CMD, which has more than 100 members in the incoming 20th Congress. 'We're the dominant majority party. Kung hindi po ako nagkakamali, we have around 105 elected congressmen and we're 100% behind the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez, of course, under the banner of continuity,' Suarez said. When asked if there were other contenders for the speakership in the 20th Congress, Suarez replied, 'I do not know of any other person or personality. Only Speaker Martin.' 'I don't think there is any change in leadership that will happen in the House,' Suarez said. Nationalist People's Coalition Spokesperson and Quezon 1st district Rep Mark Enverga, who was present at the meeting, said he has not heard of any rumors on the alleged impending change in leadership in the House of Representatives. 'We believe that Speaker Martin will continue his term as speaker. I guess it's a matter of discussing it... in the coming month or soon enough," Enverga said. Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor, who is a member of the National Unity Party, also said that he has not heard such rumors nor has he received any requests to support a change in leadership. 'I have been reading and hearing the same rumors of changes in the House leadership for the 20th Congress. No formal invitation or request has reached me to change the Speaker of the House,' Defensor said. 'I continue to support the leadership of Speaker Martin Romualdez,' he added. –NB, GMA Integrated News For more Eleksyon 2025 related content and updates, visit GMA News Online's Eleksyon 2025 microsite.
