Latest news with #Romualdez
The Star
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Philippine President Marcos' trust, performance ratings up; VP Sara Duterte's decline — survey
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte. - Photo: Inquirer files MANILA: The trust and performance ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. improved while Vice President Sara Duterte's saw a decline for the second quarter of 2025, according to a non-commissioned survey conducted by Octa Research in early July. In its Tugon ng Masa conducted from July 12 to 17, Octa Research said that Marcos' trust ratings were at 64 percent, a four-point increase from 60 percent. His performance rating saw a three-point increase to 62 percent, which still fell within the survey's margin of error. Octa Research said that Marcos held the highest trust and performance ratings in the second quarter of 2025 among all top officials surveyed, including Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Francis Escudero, and House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez. 'These gains in trust and performance ratings represent an apparent reversal of the downward trend observed since the fourth quarter of 2024. They underscore a renewed confidence in the President's leadership,' the polling firm noted. Meanwhile, the survey showed that Duterte's trust rating fell from 58 percent to 54 percent, while her performance rating dipped by six points from 56 percent to 50 percent. The polling firm said that the declines in Duterte's trust and performance ratings 'were broad-based, affecting most major regions and socioeconomic classes, with particularly steep drops recorded in NCR [National Capital Region] and Balance Luzon.' Despite this, the firm noted that both Marcos and Duterte 'continue to enjoy majority backing' as their trust and approval ratings remained above the 50 percent mark. The second quarter survey is a contrast to the survey released by the polling firm last April 2025 where Marcos' trust and performance ratings declined both by five points while Duterte's increased by nine and eight points, respectively. Escudero, Romualdez ratings Escudero's trust and performance ratings also dropped by both four points to 51 percent and 49 percent at the national level, respectively. However, the survey showed that Escudero got notable support from Mindanao where his trust rating increased by 11 percent and performance rating at 17 percent. The firm noted that this is 'the most significant regional gain recorded for any top official in a quarter.' On the other hand, the survey said that Romualdez is one of the two top officials, along with Marcos, who saw improvements in trust and performance ratings. Romualdez' trust rating rose from 54 percent to 57 percent while his performance rating increased by four points to 59 percent. The firm said that Romualdez' improvements 'are particularly significant as they were broad-based, with gains recorded across all major regions and socioeconomic classes.' The survey used face-to-face interviews among 1,200 respondents aged 18 and above. It had a margin of error of ±3 percent at a 95 percent confidence level. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
a day ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Speaker says budget debates will be open to watchdogs, vows ghost projects probe
The presence of watchdogs and other civil society observers will be allowed at the proposed national budget deliberations, from the committee and plenary level to the bicameral conference committee, Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Tuesday. Romualdez made the call after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. said in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) that he will veto any proposed budget bill by Congress that will not be in harmony with his administration's programs and priorities. 'Now, we turn to the cornerstone of governance: the national budget. The House of the People in the 20th Congress will not merely pass a budget. It will reshape how government spends, saves, and serves. We will open the bicameral conference to civil society observers—a historic first,' Romualdez said in a speech. 'Because transparency is not just a value; it is a weapon against corruption. We will allow the participation of watchdogs in all budget deliberations—from committee to plenary. Aside from opening the process to the watchdogs, the public can keep abreast of the budget process by watching it on television and other social media platforms,' he added. In addition, Romualdez vowed to strengthen the House's authority to investigate by conducting mid-year performance reviews of agencies and review of infrastructure projects. 'We heard the President's SONA. We take to heart his call—his frustration, even—about the lingering shadow of corruption in our institutions. As Speaker, I share his concern. And I accept his challenge — not with defensiveness, but with determination,' he said. 'That is why the House of Representatives will launch a comprehensive congressional review of infrastructure projects and fund implementation.' Those lined up for congressional investigation include: • ghost projects, • bloated contracts, • chronic underspending, and • abuse of discretion in fund realignment and procurement. In preventing these, the Speaker said the House will push for the passage of legislation that requires real-time public reporting of project progress and fund use, mandatory performance standards for contractors and agencies, and a national infrastructure audit framework. 'We are not here to cover up. We are here to clean up,' Romualdez added. — BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Business
- GMA Network
Romualdez vows 'no backroom haggling' in budget
Speaker Martin Romualdez vowed to heed President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s call for a budget overhaul to ensure that flood control projects will be corruption-free. 'The President's message was clear: make the government work better for the people. As Speaker, I am committed to making sure the budget reflects that – every centavo must go where it's needed most,' Romualdez said. "The House leadership is prepared to act decisively on long-needed structural changes to the national budget process, and that these reforms must prioritize accountability, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that spending directly addresses the needs of Filipino families," he added. Romualdez then reiterated his call for opening the bicameral conference committee discussions, wherein the Senate and House versions of the national budget are reconciled, to the public to prevent money business. 'No backroom haggling. The people have every right to know how their money is being spent. If we want trust, we have to earn it, starting with an open bicam,' he stressed. 'We need to put food on the table, ensure no family is crushed by hospital bills, and create jobs that restore dignity and hope. The House will do its job with focus and compassion. Because at the end of the day, that budget isn't about institutions. It's about lives,' Speaker Romualdez added. In his fourth State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. warned government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, that they will be dealt with under the law. ''Sa mga nakikipagsabwatan upang kunin ang pondo ng bayan at nakawin ang kinabukasan ng ating mga mamamayan, mahiya naman kayo sa inyong kapwa Pilipino,'' Marcos said. ''Mahiya naman kayo sa mga kabahayan nating naanod o nalubog sa pagbaha. Mahiya naman kayo lalo na sa mga anak natin na magmamana ng utang nung ibinulsa niyo ang pera,'' he added. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Rep. Martin Romualdez reelected as House Speaker in 20th Congress
Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez was officially reelected as Speaker of the House of Representatives on Monday during the opening of the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress. Romualdez secured his second consecutive term as Speaker with an overwhelming 269 votes. His nomination was backed by several major political blocs, including: •Party-list Coalition, represented by TUCP Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza •Lakas-CMD, represented by Quezon Rep. Jayjay Suarez •Nationalist People's Coalition, represented by Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga •Nacionalista Party, represented by Misamis Oriental Rep. Yevgeny Emano •National Unity Party, represented by Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno •Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, represented by Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos In his nominating speech, Rep. Suarez praised Romualdez's performance during the 19th Congress, describing him as a results-oriented leader who embodies 'dignified, decisive, and compassionate leadership.' He emphasized that Romualdez worked not for the spotlight but for meaningful outcomes, leading one of the most productive legislative terms in recent years and pushing key measures aligned with the administration's Bagong Pilipinas agenda. Romualdez ran unopposed, and no other lawmaker was nominated for the speakership. Ahead of the vote, 291 House members signed a manifesto of support for Romualdez's reelection, including Pampanga Rep. and former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, who served as the House Minority Leader in the previous Congress. Lawmakers who did not vote for Romualdez are expected to elect their minority leader in a separate proceeding.
GMA Network
2 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Romualdez reelected Speaker for 20th Congress
Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was reelected as Speaker of the House of Representatives during the opening of the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress Monday. Romualdez secured his second consecutive stint as top House leader with 269 votes after his nomination was supported by the following political parties: Party-list Coalition represented by TUCP party-list Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza Lakas-CMD represented by Quezon Rep. Jayjay Suarez Nationalist People's Coalition represented by Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga Nacionalista Party represented by Yevgeny Emano National Unity Party represented by Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno Partido Federal ng Pilipinas represented by Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos "I rise today to nominate a man whose leadership has been tested, proven, and deeply felt across this chamber and beyond: the Honorable Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. In the 19th Congress, Speaker Romualdez steered this institution with both resolve and wisdom," Suarez said. "Under his stewardship, the House of Representatives became a true House of the People — responsive to the needs of the nation, attuned to the voice of the common Filipino, and anchored in the values of unity, service, and progress," he added. Suarez also said that Romualdez works hard not for the spotlight, but for results. "His leadership transcends titles; it is grounded in listening, guided by principle, and driven by an enduring faith in the Filipino people. Under his watch, he delivered one of the most productive and purposeful legislative terms in recent memory. We passed priority measures that advanced the goals of Bagong Pilipinas, empowered communities, and created pathways for inclusive and sustainable growth," he said. "Let us entrust the Speakership to a man who has already shown us what dignified, decisive, and compassionate leadership looks like," Suarez further said. No other lawmaker was nominated for the post. At least 291 members of the House earlier signed a manifesto supporting Romualdez's reelection, including Pampanga Rep. and former President Gloria Arroyo and 19th Congress House Minority Leader and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan. All the House members who did not vote for Romualdez will elect their leader in a separate election. Libanan is expected to be reelected as minority leader. —AOL, GMA Integrated News
